The Blues L.O – to understand the roots of Blues music and the history behind the “Birth of the blues”.

The roots of Blues music….What was the slave trade? In the 1600’s, traders took boats from Europe to Africa with goods to trade These goods were swapped for kidnapped African people These slaves were then transported by boat to America (12 million in total) and sold at auctions The slaves were bought to work to produce sugar and cotton very cheaply

Where did the slaves come from?

The Journey on the boat… Slaves were packed tightly into ships They were kept in these conditions for 4 months s as the ships crossed the Atlantic Ocean Many people died from the terrible conditions

What do you think a slave’s life would be like? Discuss in your groups.

Abolition of the slave trade Slavery was abolished by 1860 and all slaves were freed under law Freed slaves still faced problems, with many white Americans still seeing them as ‘second class’ citizens. Jim Crow laws meant that African Americans were still not treated the same by law

Jim Crow Laws 1876-1965 Black people could not eat in the same resturant as white people Separate waiting rooms for buses and trains Separate water fountains and toilets White and black people could not get married Separate cemeteries and schools

What impact did this have on society? African American people were not paid well and so were very poor They were angry that they were not treated well or equally Many musicians sang and played about how they felt oppressed and the poverty they lived in. This led to the birth of the Blues

What is the Blues? The Blues is African American Folk music It was written about hardship, poverty and inequality Very early music was not written down and played from memory – aural tradition It became fashionable in the 1920’s with musicians being recorded such as Robert Johnson and Howlin’ Wolf It uses simple musical ideas so that the listener can focus on the melody and the lyrics of the song.

Famous Blues Artists – BB King

Famous Blues Artists – Robert Johnson

Famous Blues Artists – Howlin’ Wolf