In the article International
House of Blues Foundation (IHOBF) BLUES School House Timeline Overview, the
author explains how the blues genre was developed. He state that the African Americas
created the blues in south of United States in late 1800's. This genre reflected
the sad social conditions of the African Americans people, in that time slaves,
subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment, and those how survived were sold
into slavery upon arrival to New World countries. The story of the blues is rooted in African culture,
and begins with the middle passage and all those slaves who were brought to
USA. In this oppressive environment, Africans culture and musical traditions
were passed from one generation to another one thought the oral tradition.
Their music played an important role in their daily life, expressing their
feelings of loss, hope and longing for home and freedom. Usually their work songs set the peace and
eased the pain of hard manual labor, it was like a hymn. At that point the name blues does not
appears, they just made the call and respond technique. African culture and music was kept alive through
more than 200 hundred years of slavery.
In 1865 the government through the 13 Amendment abolished slavery. This new kind of freedom did not bring equality,
the discrimination persist the same as the injustices for the Afro Americans. After
slavery freedom the people started to use add more instruments to their music
songs like pianos, horns banjos and harmonicas, and they continued using the Call and respond technique. At this time
the songs began to focus on all aspects of life such as: work, love, traveling,
hope and survival. The guitar gained popularity and finally the blues music was
born. The firs denomination of this genre was country blues, and the musicians
mostly were men. Couple years after a
new style of blues appeared. The name was called classic blues, and the singers
were mostly women, this genre was gaining popularity because of his sophisticated
lyrics and variety of instruments. Then the Great Migration occurred and the
blues took some form. In 1900’s a lot of African Americans moved to the north
of the country looking for a better conditions, this brought an update in the
genre. The urban sound appeared. The sound was called rhythm and blues. Various
styles of urban blues emerged in different cities, but with the common
denominator: the singers introduced the electronic guitar instead the acoustic
one. This genre became increasing popular with black and white audiences. Chicago
was the first home of this new genre. In
1960 was a social protest era in The United States, all the people were demanding
equality in all areas of life. Because of this, popular music coming out likes soul
music, funk and rap. All this sub genres were reflecting the revolution and changing
social. This music rapidly attracts the attention and by 1980's the rap had
become a mainstream musical form. In 1990’s
the genre hip hop was born, songs that reveal the harsh realities of the urban
life. In this decade thru 2000 the music
reflects a changing social, economic, and political climate. This decade was
marked by materialism and consumerism and the most important the growth of
internet and social media. The new millennium
moves forward and the blues tradition still alive. The year 2003 was
denominated year of the blues by the senate of The United States, this genre
represents everyday emotions, good times and bad times, hopes and faith but
mostly survival fight
.
