The Blues & Slavery American Slavery By: Katelan Clark 8H1 Introduction This booklet will cover a range of subjects that 8H1 have been studying during ‘Term 1’, from The 12 Bar Blues to Slavery. I hope you enjoy it ! Arpeggio Chords Melody Line Scale American Slavery The Blues & Slavery By: Katelan Clark 8H1

What Are The 12 Bar Blues ? The 12 Bar Blues is one of the most well – know chord progression in popular music. The Blues can be played in any key. The blue has a particular form in rhythm, lyrics, chords and duration. This is why the Blues are very well – known almost all around the world.

When playing the Arpeggio Chords, you need to know note ‘C’. Musical Technique The Arpeggio Chords are the first category in the 12 Bar Blues. Arpeggio is a musical technique, in which notes in a chord are played in a sequence, one after the other, rather than simultaneously. ‘Arpeggio’ comes from the Italian word ‘Arpeggiare’, which mean played of a harp. An alternative word for this is ‘broken chord’. Arpeggio allows instruments to play chords and harmony and help create a rhythmic pattern. An ‘Arpeggiated Chord’ means which is spread. These are used when playing the piano or the harp. Rhythmic Pattern When playing the Arpeggio Chords, you need to know note ‘C’. The easiest way to find note C on the keyboard is to find the 2 black notes, then go to the left and the first white note is note C. C... C,E,G,A F... F,A,C,D G... G,B,D,E

These 3 notes are played in quick succession Melody Line Motifs Linear Succession The Melody Line is a linear succession of musical notes which form a distinctive sequence. A melody is a combination of ‘Pitch’ and ‘Rhythm’. It may also include other musical elements like ‘Tonal Colour’. The Melody Line often has more musical motifs, which are usually repeated throughout. The Melody Line includes ‘Rests’ and ‘Counts’. At the end of the first line, there is a ‘Rest’ and ‘Count’ of 1 – 2 seconds. Likewise with the last line; there is a ‘Rest’ and ‘Count’ of 1- 8 seconds before the whole Melody Line is played again. There are several instruments that the Melody Line can be played on, other than just the piano. Elements ‘Rest’ & ‘Count’ Melody Instrumental Musical G Rest & Count 1-2 C D These 3 notes are played in quick succession D# Rest & Count 1 - 8 Tonal Colour Repeated

C D# F F# G A# The Scale Improvisation Particular Order The 12 Bar Blues Scale refers to different scales of notes, which have different pitches, and are played in different ways. The Blues Scale is made up of the notes C, D#,F,F#,G,A#,C. These notes can be used for the musical technique ‘Improvisation’. This means that the order of the notes can be made up on the spot and can be played in any order, as long as all the notes in the scale are used. There are many combinations to this format, so the notes do NOT have to go in a particular order. When playing the three parts of the 12 Bar Blues altogether, the scale is the last to be played, but are the most free notes, as it makes the tune different. Improvisation Particular Order C D# F F# G A#

Slavery Slavery in America started in 1619, when the first African slave was taken to Virginia in North America. This was to aid in the production of crops and tobacco. After 1700, the number of slaves being taken to America increased immensely, and over 6 million Africans were slaves. When they first arrived in America, the slaves were lead to the coastlines trapped in chains called coffles, and were held in prisons until needed. When word got about that America was using Africans as slaves, Lord Mansfield, a British barrister, claimed: ‘Slavery is illegal, and it has to stop’. This was when Americans started to sell their slaves to other countries. Many went to the Spanish part of America. For example: Brazil and Mexico. The death rate of slaves was horrific. In the American camps, it was said that up to 50% of the slaves had died. The slaves were set free due to Abraham Lincoln’s ‘War Powers’. The slaves were set free in 1863, and many went back to their homeland, but they never felt safe. Their dreadful experience as African slaves had scarred them for life.

Expressing The Blues & Slavery African slaves took their musical traditions with them when they were transported to America. Early types of African music included Spirituals (religious songs using vocal harmony) and work songs. Work songs were sang rhythmically while completing the task. They used ‘Call’ and ‘Response’, which phrases from the lead singer were followed by the others. The Blues emerged to the end of the 19th century. The early styles of Blues were called ‘Country Blues’. Whilst their time as a slave, they had been through some very traumatic times. Usually singing or creating a beat whilst working made them happier. Singing was a way of expressing unhappiness, and how the felt inside. The African slaves used the Blues to help them live and get on with what they done. Often, they were punished for making noise, but it didn’t stop them from expressing themselves. It was a way of protest. Expressing