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

2. 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

3. Where did the slaves come from?

4. 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

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

7. 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

8. Jim Crow Laws
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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. Famous Blues Artists – BB King

12. Famous Blues Artists – Robert Johnson

13. Famous Blues Artists – Howlin’ Wolf