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American Blues Tradition

Explore the rich history and unique characteristics of the Mississippi Delta Blues tradition, including influential artists like Charlie Patton and Robert Johnson. Learn about the distinct vocal style, blending vocals and guitar, and the use of bottleneck guitar technique.

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American Blues Tradition

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  1. American Blues Tradition Chapter 5 Day 2

  2. SIMPLE BLUES FORM A A B (lyrics and music) IVoice(2)IFill(2)IVoice(2)IFill(2)IVoice(2)IFill(2)I I IV V I – I –I –I –IV –IV –I –I – V –IV – I –I

  3. Examples- Simple Blues Form • Kansas City https://youtu.be/f8tZO97uhyE • W.C.Handy St. Louis Blues http://youtu.be/dmFUXYaZIMk

  4. MISSISSIPPI DELTA BLUES • Mississippi Delta - Area of flatland that stretches from Memphis, Tennessee to Vicksburg, Mississippi • A number of blues styles developed in the South, but none were more pervasive than that of the Mississippi Delta

  5. CHARLIE PATTON • Charlie Patton – around 1881, near Jackson Mississippi • Learned guitar at the age of 14, performed music around the delta for 30 years • Made his first recording when he was around 40 years old • His vocal quality was rough, growling and intense • He often deliberately slurred his words, a practice that became an identifying trait of the Delta blues style • He also tended to let his voice blend into his guitar playing, sometimes not finishing the lyrics and letting the guitar finish it instead

  6. Charlie Patton cont. • Rattlesnake Blues • http://youtu.be/ZRWn3zYas_I • Known as the “father of the Delta Blues” • Patton's guitar accompaniment was simple, but it created a danceable rhythm • Patton taught and inspired a number of blues singers, most notably Robert Johnson • Bottleneck guitar technique – using the neck of a glass bottle to slide up and down the neck of the guitar, allowing it to imitate sliding of the voice; characteristic of the Delta Blues

  7. Robert Johnson • 1911 Mississippi • Took to the road to make a living as a musician to avoid sharecropping • He was a small and handsome man; like many blues musicians he had a way with women • He spent the rest of his short life chasing after women and running away from their men • Hellhound on My Trail https://youtu.be/p04Sk7l1Mxw

  8. Characteristics of Mississippi Delta blues musicians • slurred vocals • vocals blended into guitar parts • stronger sense of rhythm

  9. Other Regional Blues • Texas • Blind Lemon Jefferson – 1893 • Black Snake Moan http://youtu.be/h3yd-c91ww8 • style was close to field holler • higher pitched singing • lacked steady rhythm

  10. Other Regional Blues, cont. • Atlanta • Blind Willie McTell – 1898 • I’ve Got to Cross That Jordan River http://youtu.be/_4S16XoDYYg • more pronunciation in vocals • lighter vocal tone • more delicate guitar playing

  11. CLASSWORK/HOMEWORK • Write 4 simple blues lyrics.  (A, A, B punchline)  Can be same or different topics.

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