Which of the following is NOT one of the three raw materials for blues songs?

• A. Call-and-response between voice and instrument
• B. 12-bar blues form
• C. The blues scale
• D. The shuffle rhythm

Answer: (A)

Blues songs are built from three core ingredients: a 12-bar blues chord progression, the blues scale for melodic material, and a shuffle (swing) rhythm to drive the groove. The 12-bar form provides a predictable, repeating framework that blues tunes typically follow. The blues scale gives the characteristic melodic flavor, often using blue notes to create that soulful blues feel. The shuffle rhythm gives the swung, propulsive feel that underpins most blues grooves.

Call-and-response between voice and instrument is a common expressive device in blues performance, creating dialogue and emphasis. It’s a powerful technique, but it isn’t a structural ingredient that defines the blues in the same way as form, scale, and rhythm. That’s why it’s not considered one of the three raw materials.