Key Stage 3 Music - The Blues


Task 1 - The Roots of Blues music and the history of the "Birth of the Blues"


Below are the song lyrics for "Big Boss Man" sung by Koko Taylor. What do you think the song is about? What might the person singing them be feeling? Do you notice a pattern with the lyrics? Be ready to share an answer with your teacher.


Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call
Well, you ain't so big, you're just tall, that's all

Got me working, boss man, working 'round the clock
I want me a drink of water, but you won't let Jimmy stop
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
Well, you ain't so big, you just tall, that's all

Well, I'm gonna get me a boss man, one gonna treat me right
Work hard in the day time, rest easy at night
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
Well, you ain't so big, you're just tall, that's all


In groups, continue to create a research poster using the Blues Research powerpoint.


Task 2 - Learning how to sing Blues music and play chords on the keyboard


As a class, learn to sing "Big Boss Man" (lyrics above).


What do you notice about the piano accompaniment?


In pairs, begin to work out the following chords:


C major          F major         G major


HINT: You can use the posters around the classroom to help you with this! Use your initiative!

Once you have discovered and worked this out in your pairs, watch the instruction video on "Basic Chords" found in the Blues drop down menu.



Task 3 - Learning how to play the 12 bar blues

               


Below is the 12 bar blues structure that is found in most Blues music. In pairs, begin to learn this using the correct hand position and counting each bar properly (4 beats per bar). Your teacher might film you to show work in progress for your video feedback files.


FANCY A CHALLENGE?

Once you have grasped this, there are other musical features you can start to include that can make your performance sound really authentic and stylistic, including a walking bass line, 7th chords and improvising using the blues scale.


Your teacher will show you the instruction videos to demonstrate how you can include these in your piece.




Task 4 - Develop our Blues performance by using a Success Criteria

You will continue to rehearse in your pairs ready for an assessment in 3 lessons time.

Your teacher will start each lesson by showing you either one, two or all 3 of the following instruction videos: walking bass line, 7th chords and improvising using the blues scale.

You will then continue to use the Success Criteria below to help you develop your Blues performances. Your teacher will film you during the rehearsal stages so that you can reflect on your learning (homestudy).


Success Criteria


Are your chords played in the correct order?


Are the chords played using right hand, thumb first?


Do you both know the order of the chords?


Are you counting each bar correctly? (4 beats per bar)


Have you added a walking bass line (played to the beat) with your left hand?


Are you using a slow tempo? (if it’s too fast, it becomes Rock and Roll music!)


Are you using Bouncy/swung rhythm in the chords?


Have you added your own vocals?


Have you added an Improvised melody using the blues scale?  C  Eb  F  F#  G  Bb  C

 





Use Your Initiative - Lyrics

Aim to write your own lyrics for your Blues performance that you could sing over the top of the 12 bar blues. Use the "Big Boss Man" lyrics above to guide you on how to write it. It doesn't need to be long and can be repetitive. Aim to write about something that makes you feel "blue".


Homestudy - Use Your Initiative - Video Feedback

One of your rehearsals and your final performances will be available to watch on your Video Feedback on MyHighcliffe.

For homestudy, evaluate your own performance using the success criteria. What went well for you? How could you improve? Complete this ready for your next lesson.