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Chapter 44
Robert Johnson
Chapter at a Glance
11. Listen to This First
12. A Blue-Note Melody
14. 12-Bar Blues Form
16. Word-Music Relationships: Metaphors and the Vernacular
17. Performance: Who Wrote the Blues?
19. Listening Guide
21. Expand Your Playlist: Johnson
Chapter Objectives
After reading this chapter and listening to the work, students should be able to:
ale.
44.3 Characterize the vocal timbre of the blues.
44.5 Discuss the idea of the composer and ownership in the blues.
Key Concepts
12-bar blues, blue notes, timbre of vocal blues
Chapter Highlight: Blues
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Chapter Summary
guitar. Legend holds that he sold his soul to the devil in an encounter at a deserted
crossroads, in exchange for his ability to play blues guitar. After his death, the legend
grew by oral tradition and eventually appeared in a popular movie, Crossroads.
-bar blues form where each of the
three lines of text receives four measures of music. In the middle of the third bar, the
singer stops so that the accompaniment can fill or respond to the voice. Performers
typically deviate from the standard form during the course of the song. The third and
seventh tones of the major, diatonic scale are bent or flattened in blues style, and
sometimes the fifth, too. The Audio Glossary contains an example of a blues scale,
which should assist in demonstrating these altered notes. The harmonic progression
uses the I, IV, and V chords, with the IV and V switching up from their usual order (V–
IV in blues forms).
Listening Guide
verses 3 (which returns in verse 7) and 4. The Text column highlights the beginning of
each verse as a guidepost for students. The Form column notes where the 12-bar blues
form is altered.
MyMusicLab Resources
Automated Listening Guide
Chapter Audio: Chapter 44
Connect Your Playlist: Blues
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Discussion Topics and Critical Thinking Questions
19.
-bar blues form? Is it
20.Blues songs contain lyrics that have double meanings. Describe the types of lyrics
found in blues songs and their double meanings.
Activities and Exercises
17. Invite class members to write their own blues song texts. Using the list from the
Journaling Prompt
In the past, musicians such as Robert Johnson did not appear in music appreciation
courses. Why do you think this has changed in recent decades? Do you think it is a
change for the better or worse? Why?