Summary of Blues Text

           

        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

.