Blues

Time: Circa 1900's

Description: A simple folk music that grew from African American Slavs. The form mixed European, American, and African styles and grew out of Black oppression in the South. The styles gained much success in the era following the Emancipation Proclamation. Melody is based on the minor pentatonic scales. Lyrics are usually about the bad things in life.

Music: Delta Blues (A form of southern blues that is simple, gritty, and acoustic.) and Chicago Blues (A Blues mutation cause by the movement of blues musicians northward, Chicago blues uses electric instruments.)

Composers and Musicians: Robert Johnson, Keb Mo, Blid Lemon Jefferson, Lead Belly, Ma Rainey(Delta Blues); Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Howlin Wolf, Bo Diddley, Sonny Boy Williamson.

Significant Event: The Gold Standard Act