Transcript Document
The Blues • Early blues – Pre-Civil War – Result of slaves singing very sad songs – No chords – No set form – Sung in unison – Songs were performed privately of for groups of slaves only The Blues • Early blues – After Civil war – Music could be performed more openly – Lyric became AAB (2 part form) – Standardized chords – 4 measure groups - 3 lines (12 BARS) – 2 measures lyric, 2 measure fill – Still topics were -usually unhappy situations TYPICAL FORM LYRICS (AAB)(12bar form) (4 bars) Ain't that lovin' you, baby? (4 bars) Ain't that lovin' you, baby? (4bars) But you don't even know my name. • THE BLUE NOTES • One characteristic most associated with The Blues • Resulted from deliberate or accidental search for notes to use that were “outside” of the Western European scales. • Notes fell in between 4th & 5th chromatic steps and the 10th & 11th step. • THE BLUE NOTES • • • • • IN ORDER TO PLAY THE BLUE NOTES Difficult to sing or play in between notes Guitar players could bend strings to reach Horn players must bend or slur notes Piano players can play two notes at the same time to try to achieve the effect • Major distinguishing qualities of The Blues • FORM (AAB) • Lyrical Subject Matter • The Blue Notes • Laid Back Rhythms (relaxed feel) Country Blues • Accompanied by guitar, harmonica or both • Singer usually a man • LISTENING JOURNAL • Robert Johnson - Hellhound On My Trail Urban Blues • More rhythmic • Singer usually a woman Important Female Blues Singers • Bessie Smith • Ethel Waters • Billy Holiday Bessie Smith • Born in Tennessee • Best known blues singer of the 1920s • “Empress of Blues” • Recorded 160 songs • Sold ten million records • 1937 - died penniless in car accident • LISTENING JOURNAL *Empty Bed Blues *Youtube Billy Holiday • Influenced by Louis Armstrong • Unique singing style • Spent time is prison for narcotics possession • In prison cleaned up and lost weight • Became very popular & was invited to perform by many other musicians of the day • Public was unwilling to accept black and white musicians performing together • LISTENING JOURNAL *Fine and Mellow *Youtube video example 2 Blues periods • Approximately 1890-1940 • Country - Huddie Ledbetter • Urban - Bessie Smith • 1940-present • BB King • BB KING (1925 – still alive!) • One of the most respected and successful blues musicians • Born in Mississippi • Went to Memphis 1946 • Many of King's early recordings were produced by Sam Phillips, who later founded Sun Records. (Elvis,Johnny Cash,ect.. • In the 1950’s had many hit songs on the R&B charts • BB KING (1925 – still alive!) • Play counts concerts & sold millions of records • First Blues Musician to have huge crossover hit with “The Thrill is Gone” on both R&B and Pop charts • Continues to maintain a solid career performing & recording with modern Blues & Pop artist such as U2, Phish, & Eric Clapton • (*youtube video examples) Contemporary Blues • Maintains elements of blues traditions • Influences other styles of music • CONTEMPORY BLUES ARTIST • ERIC CLAPTON • BONNIE RAITT • STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN • JOHNNY LANG • *youtube video examples