Blues Music

Blues Origins

100

This U.S. region is considered the birthplace of the Blues

Mississippi Delta

200

This person became the most successful publisher of the blues

W.C. Handy

300

The Blues evolved from African-American work songs and this type of music.

Spirituals (or Gospels)

400

This type of bar, often with live music, became synonymous with Blues in the cities like Chicago

Juke Joint

500

Blues Music heavily influenced this genre that emerged in the 1950's

Rock and Roll

Blues Musicians

100

This "King of the Blues" was famous for his guitar named Lucille.

B.B. King

200

The singer, known as the "Empress of the Blues," was a prominent figure in the 1920's, often getting paid $2 - 3 thousand a week.

Bessie Smith

300

This guitarist is famous for the song "Cross Road Blues."

Robert Johnson

400

This musician was discovered by the Lomax family while he was in prison.

Lead Belly

500

This influential Blues guitarist died in a helicopter crash following a concert

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Blues Instruments

100

The most commonly used instrument in Blues music, often associated with slide techniques.

Guitar

200

This instrument, often played using a "bottleneck" slide, adds a distinctive sound to the Blues.

Resonator Guitar

300

A "harp" in Blues music refers to this instrument

Harmonica

400

This type of guitar, often made of metal, is played with a slide to produce a resonator sound

Resonator Guitar

500

This percussion instrument provides the backbeat in most blues music.

Drums

Blues Styles

100

This Blues style features a singer with a guitar or harmonica accompaniment

Country Blues

200

This city is know for a more electrified style of Blues that became popular in the 1940's

Chicago

300

This Blues style developed in Texas and is known for a more swing-based rhythm

Texas Blues

400

This style of Blues became popular in the Southern U.S. and often incorporates spirituals and folk music

Delta Blues

500

What is the most important chord progression in blues music

12 Bar Blues

Blues Lyrics

100

Blues Lyrics often follow this three line structure, with a repeated first line

AAB (statement-statement-response)

200

This term describes the Blues technique of bending notes for emotional expression

Note Bending

300

This term is often used to refer to a difficult situation or hardship "Everyday I have the ...."

The Blues

400

If the first line of lyrics in a blues song is "The Thrill is Gone," then what is the 2nd line of lyrics.

The Thrill is Gone

500

Finish the Lyric, "I went to the crossroads and _____  _____ __ __ ______"

fell down on my knees