What earlier musical tradition arose in the United States before the birth of jazz?
the blues
The blues rose to international attention during the early twentieth century and influenced many popular musical styles.
The word blues has multiple meanings. Name at least three.
- The music of people
- A style of music
- A type of performance
The term can also refer to a despondent state of mind and a musical form.
The blues style owes much to the music of which group?
enslaved Africans
African music often involves group singing, frequently in a call-and-response pattern.
What singing technique involves setting one syllable of poetry to multiple pitches in the melody?
melismatic
An example of melisma is found in the Christmas carol “Angels We Have Heard on High.”
The blues scale modifies which steps to create ‘blue notes’?
the third and seventh steps
These modifications create an ambivalent harmony, questioning whether it is in the major or minor mode.
What does the phrase ‘singing the blues’ metaphorically express?
sadness
It can also refer to a singer using blues inflections.
What are the three core chords used in the twelve-bar blues form?
- Tonic (I)
- Dominant (V)
- Subdominant (IV)
This predictable twelve-measure pattern allows blues performers to play together without sheet music.
What is the term for each repetition of the twelve-bar blues pattern described by jazz musicians?
chorus
The systematic use of this harmonic foundation facilitates group performance.
What is the first line of a blues typically sung?
Always sung a second time
This is a characteristic of blues lyrics, as noted in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Starlight Express.
What is the poetic pattern of a twelve-bar blues song?
a a b
This pattern consists of three phrases of poetry, each spanning four measures.
What is the typical structure of a blues singer’s lyrics during the twelve-measure pattern?
- Three phrases of poetry
- Each phrase spans four measures
- First line repeated with embellishments
- Third phrase often described as the ‘punch line’
This structure contributes to the emotional impact of blues music.
True or false: The third line of a blues song must be different from the first two lines.
FALSE
As noted in the lyrics from Poppa in Starlight Express, there is no law that requires the third line to be different.
What is the primary purpose of the blues?
To help the performer get rid of unhappy emotions
It serves as a form of catharsis to ‘sing the blues.’
What does the term ‘blue devils’ refer to?
Depression
This term was commonly used in the sixteenth century.
What is the nickname for the oldest format of blues-singing?
Country blues
This reflects the rural origins of the first known type of blues-singing.
Characteristics of country blues include:
- Usually male singer
- Often sings alone
- Accompanied by guitar, accordion, or harmonica
- Rhythm is quite free
- Informal performance settings
Country blues often addresses themes of love, poverty, or political issues.
In what settings does a country blues singer typically perform?
- Picnics
- Parties
- Road houses
- Brothels
These informal settings contribute to the spontaneous nature of country blues.
What type of payment might a country blues singer receive?
Alcohol
Payment is sometimes not in cash but rather in drinks.
The rhythm of a country blues song is usually:
Quite free
Singers may not strictly adhere to the usual twelve-bar pattern.
The influence of country blues can be seen in later musical genres such as:
Protest songs
Country blues directly influenced the protest songs that arose later in the twentieth century.
What is the classic-blues style characterized by?
- Theatrical performances
- Audience sitting and listening
- Female vocalists
- Fuller accompaniments (piano or combo)
Classic-blues lyrics often focus on love and romantic relationships, with a less free rhythm compared to country blues.
Who is known as the Empress of the Blues?
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith was renowned for her powerful voice and significant impact on classic-blues music.
What was Bessie Smith’s first successful recording?
- Down Hearted Blues
- Gulf Coast Blues
These recordings helped Columbia Records regain financial stability.
