The 12 Bar Blues consists of 3 pieces of music: chords, melody line, scale. Chords- The 12 Bar Blues have 3 primary chords and they are C, F and G. The notes that make up C- c, e, g & a F-f, a, c & d G-g, b, d &e Melody line -The melody line has 4 notes and they are G, C3, D and D#. Scale - the scale has 7 notes, they are C3, D#, F, F#, G, A# and C4.All or some of these notes can be used for the musical technique called improvisation. The scale is played in the 1-8 count. C C C C F F C C GF Aryenne Oliveros 8H1 C3 D# F F# G A# C4 G G G D C3 D# Rest& Count 1-2 Played with quick succession Rest & Count 1-8
Fingerings for 12 Bar Blues Chords-Left hand Melody line- Right hand c e g a f a c d g b d e 5 th 3 rd 2 nd 1 st Finger C3 D E D#D# 1 st 2 nd 5 th Finger 3 rd Scale- Right hand D# F# A# C3 F G C4
Blues Music Many African slaves were taken to America. These slaves left their families and homes with no other option because they were captured. The slave trade was one of the most horrible life experiences for these slaves. Whenever the slaves worked, it would last from early morning to late at night in the hot sun.So to quicken time, the slaves would sing as they worked and when they sang they expressed their feelings. Drums was the most important instrument that was used. They would use their palms, fingertips and sticks to play a beat.
Middle Passage The Middle passage is the route the slaves took going from Africa to the Americas and Caribbean. The middle passage experience was not something anyone would want to remember. The ships were in bad conditions. there was no space for the slaves to stand up wherever they were staying. It was always damp and humid because of the weather. Many slaves wore limited clothing or nothing. There were many diseases spreading because many got sick and not taken care of. Also, they ate food using their bare hands which haven’t been washed. Its smelt of urine because the slaves could not stand up so they would have had to use the toilet in the position they were in.