A History of “The Blues” General Music Grade 6

The Roots of the Blues Faint echoes of the Blues can be traced to West Africa between the 16 th century and the American Civil War (1861-5). In West Africa there was a long tradition of solo musicians, known as griots, whose position was honored in society.

The Transition 3 reasons we don’t hear African music in “the blues”. 1. Africa had many different sources of tribal music across the continent. 2. Many aspects of African culture were destroyed at the onset of slavery. 3. Many generations passed between slavery and the 1 st recording industry.

Blues Slave music was first hymns & work songs. Slave music was first hymns & work songs. Gradually it became reworked into an original form of expression. Gradually it became reworked into an original form of expression. Out of anguish, honesty, talent and self expression “the blues” arrived. 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”. 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. 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. 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 7 th pitches of the scale. 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 7 th pitches of the scale. pp75gQ-T6Y pp75gQ-T6Y pp75gQ-T6Y pp75gQ-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. 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. Bessie Smith was born in Tennessee in 1894 and orphaned at eight years of age. At 18, she worked with Ma Rainey. At 18, she worked with Ma Rainey. In 1923, her “Downhearted Blues” sold 750,000 copies. In 1923, her “Downhearted Blues” sold 750,000 copies. Noak ONLY PLAY 1 MINUTE Noak ONLY PLAY 1 MINUTE Noak Noak

Blind Lemon Jefferson He was born in Texas in Blind at birth, he spent his time learning to play the guitar. He was born in Texas in 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. In 1925 his perseverance paid off when he cut his 1st record in Chicago. XC1jjRCXtg XC1jjRCXtg XC1jjRCXtg XC1jjRCXtg

“The Blues” Travels North Between 1910 and 1930, nearly 2,000,000 African Americans left the south to head 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. 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 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. The country blues of the Mississippi Delta region was being transformed. Muddy Waters plugged in an electric guitar Muddy Waters plugged in an electric guitar Numerous Chicago blues musicians formed an upbeat driving blues sound. Numerous Chicago blues musicians formed an upbeat driving blues sound.

Blues Styles California Blues California Blues Chicago Blues Chicago Blues Classic Blues Singers Classic Blues Singers Country Blues Country Blues Delta Blues Delta Blues Louisiana Blues Louisiana Blues Memphis Blues Memphis Blues Origins of Rock & Roll Origins of Rock & Roll Piedmont Blues Piedmont Blues Rhythm & Blues Rhythm & Blues St. Louis Blues St. Louis Blues Texas Blues Texas Blues Urban Blues Urban Blues Zydeco Zydeco

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