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A History of “The Blues”. General Music Grade 6. The Roots of the Blues. The Transition. Blues. Slave music was first hymns & work songs. Gradually it became reworked into an original form of expression. Out of anguish, honesty, talent and self expression “the blues” arrived.
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A History of “The Blues” General Music Grade 6
Blues • Slave music was first hymns & work songs. • Gradually it became reworked into an original form of expression. • Out of anguish, honesty, talent and self expression “the blues” arrived.
What’s In a Name • After the Civil War, the music became recognizable, although it still wasn’t called the “the blues”. • For many centuries the color blue was associated with the term melancholy. • But it wasn’t until the beginning of the twentieth century that “the blues” got its name.
“Father of the Blues” • W.C. Handy, singer, songwriter, bandleader, publisher, and instrumentalist, was one of the first to have “blue” notes in a composition that was published. “Blue” notes are flattened 3rd and 7th pitches of the scale. • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpp75gQ-T6Y
“Mother of the Blues” Ma Rainey, one of the first female stars, was born into a show business family in Georgia. She toured with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels and formed her own band called the Georgia Jazz Band.
“Empress of the Blues” • Bessie Smith was born in Tennessee in 1894 and orphaned at eight years of age. • At 18, she worked with Ma Rainey. • In 1923, her “Downhearted Blues” sold 750,000 copies. • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZVD8QqNoak ONLY PLAY 1 MINUTE
Blind Lemon Jefferson • He was born in Texas in 1897. Blind at birth, he spent his time learning to play the guitar. • In 1925 his perseverance paid off when he cut his 1st record in Chicago. • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXC1jjRCXtg
“The Blues” Travels North • Between 1910 and 1930, nearly 2,000,000 African Americans left the south to head north. • It was the biggest migration in American History.
The Chicago Blues • The migration of bluesmen to Chicago resulted in a style of blues known as the “Chicago Blues”. • The country blues of the Mississippi Delta region was being transformed. • Muddy Waters plugged in an electric guitar • Numerous Chicago blues musicians formed an upbeat driving blues sound.
Blues Styles • California Blues • Chicago Blues • Classic Blues Singers • Country Blues • Delta Blues • Louisiana Blues • Memphis Blues • Origins of Rock & Roll • Piedmont Blues • Rhythm & Blues • St. Louis Blues • Texas Blues • Urban Blues • Zydeco
