1. Blues Significance –1930s culture/society –Enduring musical influence Definition? –12 bar progression –1-4-5 pattern –7ths, flat 5ths, flat 3rds –Blue notes Origins –Slave Hollers, Spirituals –Africa/Europe –“Blues” – Hart Wand “Dallas Blues” (1912) Term - 18 th century –12 bar form by mid 1920s –Piano/Guitar/Harmonica/Banjo

2. Blues Styles – to early 1930s –Classic/Urban, Piedmont, Hill Country, Delta –Classic/Urban Ma Rainey (b. 1886) Bessie Smith (b. 1892/1894) –Alexander’s Ragtime Band (1927) –St. Louis Blues (1929)St. Louis Blues (1929) Tampa Red (b. 1904), Leroy Carr (b. 1905) –Piedmont/Ragtime Mississippi John Hurt (b. 1892?) –Here I am, Oh Lord, Send Me –Lonesome ValleyLonesome Valley Reverend Gary Davis (b. 1896) –Cincinnati Flow RagCincinnati Flow Rag Elizabeth Cotten (b. 1895) –Freight TrainFreight Train

3. –Hill Country Blues R.L. Burnside –Poor Black MattiePoor Black Mattie Fred McDowell (b. 1904) –Goin’ Down to the RiverGoin’ Down to the River –Shake ‘Em On DownShake ‘Em On Down

4. –Delta Blues Map Charley Patton (b. 1887/1891) –Pony Blues (1929)Pony Blues (1929) –Pony Blues (Alvin Youngblood Hart – Contemporary)Pony Blues Son House (b. 1902?) –Death Letter (1930 - first recorded, this is later version)Death Letter (1930 - first recorded, this is later version) –Willie Brown (b.1900) Future Blues (1930) –Robert Johnson (b. 1911) Cross Road Blues (1936) Terraplane Blues (1937) –Mississippi Blues Trail - DeltaMississippi Blues Trail - Delta

5. Cultural Context –Juke Joints –Discrimination/Lack of Opportunity –Harlem Renaissance –Recording Industry –Promoters –Major events/developments From Spirituals to Swing (1938) Electrification/Chicago (1940s-50s) Folk Revival (1960s) King of the Delta Blues Singers (1961) British Invasion/Classic Rock –Rolling Stones –Eric Clapton –Jimi Hendrix