Blues
...that originated during the late 19th century by African American performers (see African American Music). The genre embraces a variety of styles: downhome or country blues, boogie-woogie, classic blues, Chicago (urban) blues, and modern blues. Elements of the blues have also played a critical role in the development of jazz, gospel music, rock and roll, soul, and popular music.
Listening to the Blues Blues music comes in a variety of styles and forms, including acoustic blues, electric blues, rock, and jazz. But underlying even the most complex blues performance is a standardized harmonic form known as the 12-bar blues. This form coalesced during the 1930s and 1940s, as the blues evolved from a rural solo style to an urban group context, and is still used today. The following set of audio clips illustrates the basic 12-bar blues form, as well as other aspects of the blues, such as melodic structure and call-and-response.© Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
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Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee Sing "Better Day" Several features of traditional blues are clearly illustrated in this recording by harmonica player/singer Sonny Terry and guitarist/singer Brownie McGhee. As in many black spirituals, the call-and-response technique is illustrated in the vocal exchange between the two singers. Additionally, the percussive guitar melody is repeated behind the vocals. This recording of "Better Day" is performed by two musicians who gained national recognition during the urban folk revival movement in the 1950s."Better Day" from Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee Sing (Cat.# Smithsonian Folkways CD SF 40011) (p)1990 Smithsonian Folkways Records. All rights reserved.
Alberta Hunter Of the early female blues singers, American Alberta Hunter enjoyed perhaps the greatest professional longevity. Beginning in 1906, her career spanned eight...
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