Origin of the Blues
“We were always singing in the fields. Not real sing, you know, just hollerin,’ but we made up our songs about things that was happening to us at the time, and I think that’s where the Blues started.” –Son House
Where: Mississippi Delta: near Highway 61, fertile land for farming, primarily cotton.
When: Post Civil War 1890s-1900s Slavery was illegal but racism was still
Who: Black Americans: descendants of slaves now free, but working rural farming jobs
Where: Mississippi Delta: near Highway 61, fertile land for farming, primarily cotton.
When: Post Civil War 1890s-1900s Slavery was illegal but racism was still
Who: Black Americans: descendants of slaves now free, but working rural farming jobs
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What: music influenced by the expressiveness the field hollers and and call and response and steady beat of work songs
Why: Singing about hardships bonded people together in their struggles. Talking about troubles normally helps the individual. Singing about troubles, and especially singing together with a call and response, help ease the troubles. In class we will listen to an example of a work song and a field holler and discuss some musical attributes. This will help answer the what is The Blues? Work Song: "Brother John said" 1. Why are the phrases so short? 2. Why is it important to keep a steady tempo? Field Holler: "Dark gonna catch me soon" 1. The first word he sings is "Oh." What is the definition of "oh?" 2. Imagine the circumstance he is in that he would be singing like that. Fun Facts concerning the map above: Memphis is known for Blues, Nashville for Country, and New Orleans for Jazz Muscle Shoals was home to a famous recording studio Many of the early rock n' roll musicians were born in this area Blues Main |