While the heading rhythm and blues encompass a variety of sub-genres, most of these utilized musical and lyrical practices at least partially based on the twelve-bar blues form/progression. These sub-genres were oriented towards social dancing at either fast or slow tempos and featured a rhythm section consisting of drums, acoustic/upright bass, piano, or guitar. The guitar was invariably electric and, along with the piano, a tenor saxophone was typically used for instrumental solos as well as responses to the lead singer's call. Lead vocalists tended to perform in one of three styles:

1. A singing-speaking style heard in "Chicken Shack Boogie"♫ (1948) by Amos Milburn
2. A gospel-influenced style involving substantial use of melismaA group of many notes (usually at least five or six) sung melodically to a single syllable. and timbre variation, such as full-throated shouts and guttural sounds as heard in the recording "Hound Dog"♫ (1953) by Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton
3. A dramatic falsetto timbre typically sung by tenor voices as part of doo-wop groups, such as in the song "Only You (And You Alone)"♫ (1955) by The Platters