Newlands School Music

Department…

The Blues

Year 9KS3 Unit 10

Target from last topic:

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Standard 12 Bar Blues chord progression

Blues

The Blues is a style of music from America. It started in the days when black people were chained slaves, working in the cotton fields. It is very difficult to give an exact date for when it first began, because…

a) it started in different parts of America at different times, and b) later it was usually performed in churches where it was improvised and

not written down …but it was roughly the end of the nineteenth/early twentieth century. Blues is a combination of the African rhythmic call and response music (brought over to America by the slaves), European Hymn-style music (brought over by European settlers) and pre-existing American folk music (e.g Ragtime).

It is therefore a fusion style – music resulting from a combination of cultures. Blues derives from the songs of the slaves, sang whilst working in the cotton fields, telling of their hardship and longing for freedom. Nowadays the lyrics of Blues songs still have a sad and/or angry mood (although now often about love gone wrong, having no money etc.).

The songs were passed down by word of mouth, and therefore had to be kept simple. Nowadays this is reflected in the short 3-line verses of blues and the use of (essentially) just 3 chords.

C C C CF F C CG F C G7

(C)For a higher level, add a boogie rhythm to your

I I I IIV IV I IV IV I V7

(I)

12 Bar Blues in C major

TWEET DATE

TEACHER FEEDBACK MY RESPONSE

Adding the Walking Bass

C major

1 1 111

1 1 111F

major

G major

1111

TWEET DATE

TEACHER FEEDBACK MY RESPONSE

C E G A Bb A G E

G B D E

F A C D Eb D C A

C pattern C pattern F pattern C pattern G pattern ½F pattern ½C pattern G pattern

Writing blues lyrics

1st line

3rd line (rhymes)

2nd line is the first line repeated

Our Lyrics: Verse 1

Verse 2

The Blues Scale

This is a special set of notes upon which Blues melodies and improvisations are based. The Blues scale is used in many types of music nowadays, especially rock music.

Work out the letters and write them underneath. Tasks

1. Learn to play the scale upwards (learn it 3 notes at a time)2. Learn to play the scale downwards3. Learn to play the scale upwards and downwards4. Learn to play the scale all the way up and down the keyboard5. Try playing the scale rhythmically up and down (1 octave) with the chords in your

left hand.

Use the Blues Scale notes to improvise a little solo after each sentence of lyrics – creating call and response.

ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE TASK

In groups, prepare a performance of a blues piece. Your piece should include the 12 bar blues, a walking bass, at least 2 verses of lyrics with improvisation at the end of each vocal line. You may include a swing rhythm on percussion as well.

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES

AO1 – TechniqueMAR

KDESCRIPTION SELF TEACHE

R1 – 2 Insecure technical control. The music

is beyond the current ability of the performer

3 – 4 Basic technical control. Generally secure and comfortably within the ability of the performer

5 - 6 Convincing technical control. Music is within the ability of the performer. Good sense of contrast.

AO2 – Expression and InterpretationMAR

KDESCRIPTION SELF TEACHER

1 – 2 Inconsistent tempo. Little dynamic contrast or attempt at phrasing. Limited communication

3 – 4 Tempo inconsistent in places. Some dynamics and phrasing present. Sense of communication on occasions

5 - 6 Consistent tempo. Frequent and appropriate use of dynamics and phrasing. Convincing communication

AO3 – Accuracy and FluencyMAR

KDESCRIPTION SELF TEACHE

R1 – 2 Several noticeable and obtrusive

errors in pitch or rhythm. Fluency is compromised

3 – 4 Minor slips only or only 1 or 2 noticeable errors. Generally fluent and cohesive

5 - 6 Largely accurate performance throughout. Very fluent.

AO4 – Challenge and Difficulty of Individual PartMAR

KDESCRIPTION SELF TEACHER

0 An unchallenging part. Maybe untuned percussion or a few simple pitched notes

1 Some challenge presented by the part. Tricky rhythms or keyboard skill required

2 A challenging part. Two-hands, many accidentals or leaps, difficult rhythms

TWEET OPPORTUNITY

TWEET DATE

TEACHER FEEDBACK MY RESPONSE

PEER ASSESSMENT FEEDBACK AND REFLECTION

PEER ASSESSMENT FEEDBACK

MY REFLECTIONS ON THE FEEDBACK I RECEIVED