Wednesday, October 13, 2010

'Blues' or 'blues'

Okay, this isn't just laziness—it's a matter of grammar that I can't seem to get a solid answer on. When referring to a style of musicblues to be specificor is that Blues (could be jazz for that matter), is the 'B' capitalized, as in a proper noun?
As in:
"She would have paid more attention to the music, but blues always seemed somewhere in the background, such a familiar part of the noise in her head, that she paid it no mind."

Or is it a matter of whether it's preceded by a definite article? 'the Blues' or simply, blues in general?

Any grammar / blues aficionado out there?

6 comments:

  1. I have nothing but personal opinion on which to base this, but blues should not be capitalized, and the use of an article depends entirely on context (and rules of grammar I haven't studied since 8th grade).

    It seems that if it is subjective (the blues get me down) or objective (to have the blues, to play the blues, coming down with a case of the blues) then it needs the article. If it is an adjective (blues music) then the article is not required.

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  2. hmmm, yes, but in which instance, if any is the 'B' capitalized?

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  3. ...that is, I see it capitalized all over the place on the internet...d'oh--I just don't know...

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  4. no capital unless part of a title or emphasis,,, then put captital "B" then followed by three commas,,, i think, maybe,,,

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  5. As one who used to perform the Blues along with other music, we think of it with a capital 'B', as apposed to "I've got the (non-musical) blues today."

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  6. Okay, well in my novel, it's written from the point of view of someone who is intimately acquainted with Blues/blues performers. I am as yet undecided as how to proceed. The Chicago Manual of Style is no help...

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