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Birth of Blues The Roots of Blues Historians believe blues developed in Mississippi Delta region in the late 1800’s. The earliest of blues developed from the music of slaves who were expressing heir sorrow, pain, frustration, and loneliness. Many first blues may have been single-word phrases which repeated again and again. This is known as Hollers or “field cries”. The Roots of Blues Historians believe blues developed in Mississippi Delta region in the late 1800’s. The earliest of blues developed from the music of slaves who were expressing heir sorrow, pain, frustration, and loneliness. Many first blues may have been single-word phrases which repeated again and again. This is known as Hollers or “field cries”.
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Birth of Blues Cont. Along with hollers their were slaves’ work songs that were sung to make the time go faster, as well as synchronize their movements as they worked. Following the end of the Civil War in 1865, many African Americans in the South enjoyed their first freedom, but found that the tough times were not over. Many were forced to continue to toil on their farms to pay debts, while others took to the road to find work. The former slaves were still treated as “Second Class” citizens by many whites. Music was a way to ease their pain. Along with hollers their were slaves’ work songs that were sung to make the time go faster, as well as synchronize their movements as they worked. Following the end of the Civil War in 1865, many African Americans in the South enjoyed their first freedom, but found that the tough times were not over. Many were forced to continue to toil on their farms to pay debts, while others took to the road to find work. The former slaves were still treated as “Second Class” citizens by many whites. Music was a way to ease their pain.
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Birth of Blues Cont. The blues and other African-American music was a mixture of remembered African styles and the new European music they encountered, including minstrels, Anglo- Scottish ballads, and English and Irish folk songs. Country reels-the “hoedown” style fiddle tunes were also part of the musical mix that eventually resulted in what we now call “the blues”. The blues and other African-American music was a mixture of remembered African styles and the new European music they encountered, including minstrels, Anglo- Scottish ballads, and English and Irish folk songs. Country reels-the “hoedown” style fiddle tunes were also part of the musical mix that eventually resulted in what we now call “the blues”.
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Basic Blues Form The musical form of he blues is a lot more clear-cut than its historical underpinnings! (Underpinnings- basis, support) As people began to play together, they needed a set form so early 1900’s, when blues singers and instrumentalists started to perform in groups, a classic three-part lyrical form emerged: AAB. The first two lines of blues lyrics were alike (A,A) and the third was different (B). Classic blues form often follows a standard harmonic pattern based on the I, IV, and V7 Chords. Basic Blues Form The musical form of he blues is a lot more clear-cut than its historical underpinnings! (Underpinnings- basis, support) As people began to play together, they needed a set form so early 1900’s, when blues singers and instrumentalists started to perform in groups, a classic three-part lyrical form emerged: AAB. The first two lines of blues lyrics were alike (A,A) and the third was different (B). Classic blues form often follows a standard harmonic pattern based on the I, IV, and V7 Chords.
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Birth of Blues Cont. These chords are often played in 12 measures (or bars) of four beats each. 12 Bar Blues “A” Measure: 1 2 3 4 Chord: I 7 (C 7 ) “A” Measure: 5 6 7 8 Chord: IV 7 (F 7 ) I7 (C 7 ) “B” Measure: 9 10 11 12 Chord: V 7 (G 7 ) I 7 (C 7 ) These chords are often played in 12 measures (or bars) of four beats each. 12 Bar Blues “A” Measure: 1 2 3 4 Chord: I 7 (C 7 ) “A” Measure: 5 6 7 8 Chord: IV 7 (F 7 ) I7 (C 7 ) “B” Measure: 9 10 11 12 Chord: V 7 (G 7 ) I 7 (C 7 )
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Birth of Blues Cont. Blues melodies are based on a blues scale. Derived from the major scale, the blues scale contains certain flatted notes. These flatted notes, often called “Blues notes”, appear in mu c h African-American music and are an example of the African influence. Blues melodies are based on a blues scale. Derived from the major scale, the blues scale contains certain flatted notes. These flatted notes, often called “Blues notes”, appear in mu c h African-American music and are an example of the African influence.
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W.C. Handy “The Father of Blues” W.C. Handy only helped to popularized they style. He took credit for “discovering” the blues when he heard a Mississippi street musician playing his guitar with a slide in 1903. We can’t really say Handy discovered the blues but it can be said that he was one of the most important bandleaders, composers, and musical publishers. Handy was a son of a minister and was a leader of the orchestra called the Mahara Minstrels. He was also an entrepreneur, and through his sheet- music publishing business, he was the most important pioneer to popularize the blues. W.C. Handy “The Father of Blues” W.C. Handy only helped to popularized they style. He took credit for “discovering” the blues when he heard a Mississippi street musician playing his guitar with a slide in 1903. We can’t really say Handy discovered the blues but it can be said that he was one of the most important bandleaders, composers, and musical publishers. Handy was a son of a minister and was a leader of the orchestra called the Mahara Minstrels. He was also an entrepreneur, and through his sheet- music publishing business, he was the most important pioneer to popularize the blues. Birth of Blues Cont.
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Handy was most famous for the publication of his self-penned “Memphis Blues” in 1912. Handy’s song that truly jump started the blues was “St. Louis Blues” published in 1914. Handy was most famous for the publication of his self-penned “Memphis Blues” in 1912. Handy’s song that truly jump started the blues was “St. Louis Blues” published in 1914.
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