Unit 4: Summary of Blues

          

          Blues was created by African Americans in South of the United States in the late 1800s. During the slave trade, millions of Africans had to leave their homeland. They were only allowed to continue their traditions in the few places where they worked and the churches. In order to communicate with each other, enslaved Africans created work songs because they were not allowed to talk while working.

          After slavery was abolished, more musical instruments were available to African American. However, there was no set form for the Blues. They still sang work songs and created a folk ballad style. Later, African Americans got more freedom to create songs that began to focus on all aspects of life, which Blues was born.

          The earliest form of Blues is Country Blues, whose singers were mostly men. And another one is Classic Blues that was sung mostly by women. Due to Great Migration, Blues was spread to north America, even to cities. Some musicians began to update their music, then Urban Blues and Rhythm and Blues were appeared. Besides, inspired by Blues, Soul, Funk, Rap music appeared in America.

        The Blues is changing with the times goes by. Although new Blues is created, the traditional one remains alive and well.