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Chapter 3 – American Blues Traditions

Chapter 3 – American Blues Traditions. Songsters – poor traveling black folk musicians in the late 1800’s – early 1900’s Many black musicians in the South were day laborers; only a few played music full-time Some of the musicians were blind; music was the only way they could make a living

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Chapter 3 – American Blues Traditions

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  1. Chapter 3 – American Blues Traditions

  2. Songsters – poor traveling black folk musicians in the late 1800’s – early 1900’s • Many black musicians in the South were day laborers; only a few played music full-time • Some of the musicians were blind; music was the only way they could make a living • In their travels searching for work, musicians encountered a variety of audiences and had to maintain a diverse repertoire • Sang songs that told stories about legendary heroes and villains, notable events and deeds • The words to the verses would change, but the words to the refrain would remain the same, reinforcing the central idea and theme of the song

  3. 12-Bar Blues

  4. 12-Bar Blues • Although we currently align the form to twelve bars, early blues songsters held chords longer or shorter when it felt right with the mood of the song

  5. 12-Bar Blues

  6. 12-Bar Blues

  7. Early Blues Mississippi Delta • Area of flatland that stretches from Memphis, Tennessee to Vicksburg, Mississippi • A number of blues styles developed in the South, but none were more pervasive than that of the Mississippi Delta

  8. Mississippi Delta Blues • Charlie Patton – around 1881, near Jackson Mississippi • Learned guitar at the age of 14, performed music around the delta for 30 years • Made his first recording when he was around 40 years old • His vocal quality was rough, growling and intense

  9. Mississippi Delta Blues • He often deliberately slurred his words, a practice that became an identifying trait of the Delta blues style • He also tended to let his voice blend into his guitar playing, sometimes not finishing the lyrics and letting the guitar finish it instead • Patton's guitar accompaniment was simple, but it created a danceable rhythm • Patton taught and inspired a number of blues singers, most notably Robert Johnson

  10. Mississippi Delta Blues • Robert Johnson – 1911 Mississippi • Took to the road to make a living as a musician to avoid sharecropping • He was a small and handsome man; like many blues musicians he had a way with women • He spent the rest of his short life chasing after women and running away from their men

  11. Mississippi Delta Blues • Characteristics of Mississippi Delta blues musicians • slurred vocals • vocals blended into guitar parts • stronger sense of rhythm

  12. Other Regional Blues Styles

  13. Blind Lemon Jefferson • Texas - 1893 • Style was close to field holler • Higher pitched singing • Lacked steady rhythm

  14. Blind Willie McTell • Atlanta - 1898 • More pronunciation in vocals • Lighter vocal tone • More delicate guitar playing

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