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Lesson

Hear Me Howl! Introduction to the Blues

Listen What I Gotta Say: Women in the Blues (3rd–5th) / Hear Me Howl! Introduction to the Blues

At its core, the “blues” is derived from feelings–often feelings related to personal relationships, suffering, or social issues. However, blues compositions can also be joyous–maybe about a new love, a new car, a new job, or even your favorite band! In this introductory lesson, students will explore their preconceived notions of “blues music” and learn about its foundational characteristics (lyrics, form, instrumentation, scales) through the contributions of an important blueswoman: Big Mama Thornton. After listening to, analyzing, interpreting, and comparing two distinct examples of blues music, students will have a chance to sing along with Big Mama!

Lesson Paths & Learning Objectives

  1. The Blues Isn't Always Blue

    • Identify common song topics and general stylistic characteristics of blues compositions
    • 15+ minutes

  2. Listening for the "Blues"

    • Identify similarities and differences between the ways in which music elements and expressive qualities are used in two blues compositions (harmonic structure, lyrical structure, timbre, style, instrumentation, etc.)
    • Approximately 30 minutes

  3. Sing the Blues with Big Mama Thornton!

    • Expressively sing a song in the blues style and describe how blues music is usually learned (and how it differs from traditional choral singing).
    • 20+ minutes

More +
Less -

Bibliography

Text

Evans, David, ed. 2008. Ramblin’ on My Mind: New Perspectives in the Blues. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.

Goodkin, Doug. 2004. Now’s the Time: Teaching Jazz to All Ages. Pentatonic Press.

Jones, Bessie, and Bess Lomax Hawes. 1972. Step it Down: Games, Plays, Songs & Stories from the Afro-American Heritage. Athens: University of Georgia Press.

Mellizo, Jennifer. "Blues Compare and Contrast Worksheet," 2021, worksheet. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.

Pearson, Barry Lee, and Jeff Place. 2010. John Jackson Rappahannock Blues, liner notes. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings SFW40181.

Pearson, Barry Lee. 2003. Classic Blues from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, liner notes. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings SFW40134.

Pearson, Barry Lee. 2010. "Rappahannock Blues: John Jackson." Smithsonian Folkways Magazine.

Strachwitz, Chris. 1989. Liner Notes for Ball N’ Chain, by Big Mama Thornton. Arhoolie Records ARH00305.

Strachwitz, Chris. 2005. Liner Notes for In Europe, by Big Mama Thornton. Arhoolie Records ARH09056.

Titon, Jeff T. 1977. Early Downhome Blues: A Musical and Cultural Analysis. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.

Audio*

Big Mama Thornton. "Session Blues." On In Europe, recorded 1965. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, ARH09056_108, 2005, streaming audio.

Jackson, John. "Steamboat Whistle." On Country Blues and Ditties. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, ARH00471_109, 1999, streaming audio.

Video*

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. "Steamboat Whistle" [Live at The Barns at Wolftrap]. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 1997. Video.

Images*

Marshall, Jim. "Big Mama Thornton," 1966, photograph. In Big Mama Thornton with the Muddy Waters Blues Band. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, 2004, cover image.

Bearden, Romare. Empress of the Blues, 1974, acrylic and pencil on paper. Washington, DC: Smithsonian American Art Museum. Museum purchase in part through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment.

Arhoolie Records. Big Mama Thornton with the Muddy Waters Blues Band, El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, 2004, album cover.

Nalangan, Danielle. "Sister Rosetta Bark," 2023, digital graphic. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.

Strachwitz, Chris. "Big Mama Thornton with Band," photograph. In In Europe, Morgan Dodge, designer. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, 2005, cover image.

Marshall, Jim. "Big Mama Thornton at Coast Recorders, San Francisco, Ca," 1966, photograph. In Big Mama Thornton with the Muddy Waters Blues Band, Chris Strachwitz, producer. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, 2004, back cover.

Libby, Junior. "King of Blues, Photo of a Guitar," n.d., photograph. PublicDomainPictures.net.

Taylor, Ty-Juana. "Blues Word Cloud," 2021, digital graphic. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.

Strachwitz, Chris. "Big Mama Thornton Singing," 1965, photograph. In In Europe. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, 2005, p. 13.

Hart, Kelly. "Big Mama Thornton, Berkeley Folk Festival," 1970, photograph. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Libraries. Courtesy of Berkeley Folk Music Festival Archive, Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections.

Strachwitz, Chris. "Big Mama Thornton with Purse," 1965, photograph. In In Europe. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, 2005, p. 14.

Marshall, Jim. "Big Mama Thornton, Arms Crossed," 1966, photograph. In Big Mama Thornton with the Muddy Waters Blues Band. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, 2004, p. 6.

Jenkins, Keith. "John Jackson," photograph. In Rappahannock Blues: John Jackson, by Barry Lee Pearson. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways Magazine, 2010. Courtesy of National Council for the Traditional Arts.

Marshall, Jim. "Big Mama Thornton with Muddy Waters and Band," 1966, photograph. In Big Mama Thornton with the Muddy Waters Blues Band. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, 2004, p. 2.

* Audio, video, and images listed in order of slideshow sequence.