Module 5 Flashcards
Origin of Blues
Emerged from the early American Negro experience in slavery.
The African Tradition
The first of three major influences on Blues. Served a functional type of music in Africa. Included symbolism and story-telling.
Work Songs and Spirituals
The second of three major influences on Blues. Work Songs were to take up time during the day for slaves, spirituals were born out of their exposure to Christianity.
Symbolism and Messages
The third of three major influences on Blues.
Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Spiritual that uses symbolism.
Two Streams of Blues
Country Blues
Classic Blues
W.C. Handy
Father of the Blues. Wrote Memphis Blues and St.Louis Blues.
Ethel Waters
One of the most popular Classic Blues singers. She was one of many black female singers to who popularized the genre.
Mamie Smith
Was made famous by the song “Crazy Blues”.
Ma Rainey
Mother of the blues. She merged the styles of Tin Pan Alley and the Blues.
Bessie Smith
“Empress of the Blues”. Discovered by Ma Rainey.
The Form of the St. Louis Blues
The I/IV/V over the AAB form that creates the 12 bar blues pattern.
Rise of Country Blues
After Classic blues (a mesh of Tin Pan Alley and Country Blues) became popular, people wanted to understand the true blues, hence the rise in Country Blues.
In the Mood
12 Bar blues song.
