American History The Blues Essay - 1631 Words

The blues have deep roots embedded within American history—particularly that of African American history. The history of the blues originated on Southern plantations in the 19th century and was created by slaves, ex-slaves, and descendants of slaves. They were created by individuals who endured great hardship while performing endless hours of arduous labor and blues served as a form of escapism. To these individuals, songs provided them with the strength to persevere through their struggles. Blues songs depicted individuals who persevered in the face of adversity. They were symbols of hope to those squandering in the depths of oppression. In relations to the blues, every song has a story behind it and within every story, there is something to be said. Blues artists, through their struggles, detail how they overcame hardship and laughed at the face of oppression. They defied the rules and in doing so, showed African Americans that they too are beacons of hope for the hopeless. The best blues is instinctive, cathartic, and intensely emotional. From irrepressible bliss to deep sadness, no form of music communicates more genuine emotion than that of the blues. Like many bluesmen of his day, Robert Johnson applied his craft as a lonely traveling musician on street corners and in juke joints. He was a lonely man whose songs romanticized that existence. With Johnson’s unique vocal style, haunting lyrics, and creative guitar techniques, Johnson’s innovation embodied the essence ofShow MoreRelatedHistory of the Blues Essay1018 Words   |  5 Pages In one way shape or form Blues music has influenced almost every music artist and their work. Jazz and Blues gave way to such artists as Elvis Presley and Chuck Barry. The history and origins of Blues traces back many generations. Many articles have been written over the years helping readers better understand the history and importance of Blues music. All the articles have a similar attitude toward The Blues. Each article makes Blues Musics social and musical importance and impact blaringlyRead MoreThe Blues, A Genre Of Music905 Words   |  4 PagesDoes one have to be black and from the south to play the blues? The blues, a genre of music so well known and so universal, that one knows is associated with black culture; and forever connected to it. However, some may argue that not anyone can play the blues and blues is only black music. That being said, does it matter what the skin color of an individual may be to play the blues? In contrast I strongly believe anyone can play the blues because music is the purest form of creativity and communicationRead MoreEssay on Ragtime and Blues Influence on Jazz1377 Words   |  6 Pagesand Blues as Parents of Jazz Jazz is a music genre that has complex characteristics and history of development and thus many musicians and scholars face troubles in defining what jazz is. In general, jazz is believed to have born in New Orleans. Jazz developed for the pleasure of the social dancers. According to the â€Å"Understanding Jazz: What Is Jazz?† of John F. Kennedy center for the Performing Arts, Jazz was created mainly by Afro-Americans, and had elements of European and Afro-American cultureRead MoreThe Blues : A Very Short Introduction Essay1689 Words   |  7 Pagesmusic enthusiasts or even music novices such as myself think of the blues, thoughts of hardship, adversity, and regret rush to mind. An individual loses his or her job, they get the blues. A close relative passes away, you feel the blues. Indeed, blues music is all too often associated with trials and tribulations. Yet, the blues itself seemingly encompasses much more than simply a sense of misery and unhappiness. Rather, the bl ues more so embodies overcoming hardship, moving past adversity, hopingRead MoreAfrican Americans Influence On Music1229 Words   |  5 Pagestoday’s day and age, it’s easy to hear black culture represented in most hip-hop; that is the dominating music genre that expresses African American views. It’s not so easy to remember where African Americans influence on music al began. Black influence on music today is really unrecognized but it’s important to bring to light just how much African Americans really have contributed to the sound, style, and feel of today’s music. Not just hip-hop or rap, but all kinds of music. There was one particularRead MoreAnalysis Of The Song Crazy Blues 1172 Words   |  5 PagesRyan Henderson Professor Johnson From The Phonograph to the Autotune Cylinder Report 2/8/15 Title of Recording: Crazy Blues Artist: Noble Sissle UCSB Cylinder Number: 9806 â€Å"Crazy Blues† by Noble Sissle is a cover of the song originally written by Perry Bradford. This timeless piece of history was first recorded on August 10th, 1920 by Mamie Smith and later released on as a vinyl record by Okeh Records.3 Smith’s version of the song was wildly successful, selling 75,000 copies in the first monthRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem The Blues 1558 Words   |  7 PagesFather of the Blues--- W.C. Handy 1. The Blues The aim of blues music is to make the singer s feelings known to others. From the very name, we can learn that this kind of music is full of sad emotions. This kind of way to express inner thoughts directly is totally different from the white society s music. Blues is also called Bruce because of its transliteration. The blues’ another characteristic is its special harmony. It is a kind of music which is originated in the soul of black American slaves, hymnsRead MoreThe Genre Of Blues From The 19th Century South America905 Words   |  4 PagesThe genre of blues originated in the 19th century South America African American Communities. African slaves that were brought during the 17th and 18th centuries, also brought their differing musical traditions with them. After they assimilated, they began to blend the juxtaposing music types of America and Africa. This resulted in blues coming from a mix of European folk music, spirituals, music of Africa, and slave work songs. Work so ngs were sung in time with the task at hand using â€Å"call and responseRead MoreAfric The Richest Continent Essay1249 Words   |  5 Pageslabor in barbaric conditions contrived by white americans. Despite being stripped from their home, slaves in the American plantation South carried their culture with them. Spirituals were sung as they chopped crops in rhythm to the beat of the vocals derived from the syllabic African languages. Song was also used to discretely spread messages to one another; Some of which were guides for escaping to freedom in the North. From the beginning, African American music has been used to cope with the daily trialsRead MoreA Perspective Of Rock And Roll s Impact On Society1653 Words   |  7 Pageswas even called rock and roll. During WW II a quarter of the American population was more mobile that it had been historically. This movement brought southern, rural, sacred, and secular traditions into new contact with urban based music and audiences (Ame rica s Music). The upbeat Chicago style blues of music began to fuse with African-American RB rhythms. This began creating something totally new and provocative in music(The history of Rock n’ Roll Origin). Some of the earliest rock artists didn’t