How are instruments used to communicate the blues tradition?

In this lesson, we will learn all about the different playing and singing techniques heard in blues music. We will be able to identify these different techniques by ear.

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Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What is this instrument called?

TrumpetSaxophoneTrombone

1/6

Q2.Which of these instruments often play the melody parts in blues music?

Trumpet, clarinet and vocals.Bass, piano and guitar.Drum, bass and piano.

2/6

Q3.What melodic idea is a 'head' in blues music?

The introduction of the song.The backing vocals.The main theme or melody which is repeated throughout.

3/6

Q4.What is improvising in blues music?

Making up melodies on the spot, during the live performance.Copying a part from someone else.Reading the rhythm section from a lead sheet.

4/6

Q5.What is the melodic structure AAB?

Verse and chorus.Two lines the same (question) and then a different third line (answer).Call and response by copying the other part.

5/6

Q6.Name the song that made Duffy a famous artist.

2002Love me like you doMercy

6/6

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What is this instrument called?

TrumpetSaxophoneTrombone

1/6

Q2.Which of these instruments often play the melody parts in blues music?

Trumpet, clarinet and vocals.Bass, piano and guitar.Drum, bass and piano.

2/6

Q3.What melodic idea is a 'head' in blues music?

The introduction of the song.The backing vocals.The main theme or melody which is repeated throughout.

3/6

Q4.What is improvising in blues music?

Making up melodies on the spot, during the live performance.Copying a part from someone else.Reading the rhythm section from a lead sheet.

4/6

Q5.What is the melodic structure AAB?

Verse and chorus.Two lines the same (question) and then a different third line (answer).Call and response by copying the other part.

5/6

Q6.Name the song that made Duffy a famous artist.

2002Love me like you doMercy

6/6

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

How are instruments used to communicate the blues tradition?

Don’t worry if you get a question wrong! Forgetting is an important step in learning. We will recap next lesson.

Q1.What types of instruments were used in early blues music?

Percussion and guitarBrass and woodwindConcertina and vocals

1/8

Q2.What technique is often used in blues singing?

SlidesTremoloSlap

2/8

Q3.How is the drum kit often played in blues music?

With sticksWith brushesWith their hands

3/8

Q4.What technique describes this: 'when the player uses their hand to make a sound on the fretboard when they play bass'

SlapTremoloVibrato

4/8

Q5.What is a bottlenecking?

Moving your fingers very quickly when holding down the string so that the sound ‘wobbles’Using a bottleneck or other implement to cover all the strings and slide up and downSliding on the same string to the next note to make it smooth

5/8

Q6.What is a string bend?

Moving your fingers very quickly when holding down the string so that the sound ‘wobbles’Bending the string on the fretboard to alter the pitchSliding on the same string to the next note to make it smooth

6/8

Q7.What is a vibrato?

Sliding on the same string to the next note to make it smoothBending the string on the fretboard to alter the pitchMoving your fingers very quickly when holding down the string so that the sound ‘wobbles’

7/8

Q8.What is a crushed note?

Bending the string on the fretboard to alter the pitchAlternating really quickly between two pitches/chordsPlaying really short notes, usually a step away from the main note

8/8

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

How are instruments used to communicate the blues tradition?

Don’t worry if you get a question wrong! Forgetting is an important step in learning. We will recap next lesson.

Q1.What types of instruments were used in early blues music?

Percussion and guitarBrass and woodwindConcertina and vocals

1/8

Q2.What technique is often used in blues singing?

SlidesTremoloSlap

2/8

Q3.How is the drum kit often played in blues music?

With sticksWith brushesWith their hands

3/8

Q4.What technique describes this: 'when the player uses their hand to make a sound on the fretboard when they play bass'

SlapTremoloVibrato

4/8

Q5.What is a bottlenecking?

5/8

Q6.What is a string bend?

6/8

Q7.What is a vibrato?

7/8

Q8.What is a crushed note?

Bending the string on the fretboard to alter the pitchAlternating really quickly between two pitches/chordsPlaying really short notes, usually a step away from the main note

8/8

Lesson summary: How are instruments used to communicate the blues tradition?

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The next lesson in:
Band Musicianship 2: The Blues
is:
How do improvisors communicate when performing in a band?

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How are instruments used to communicate the blues tradition?

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Video

Worksheet

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

How are instruments used to communicate the blues tradition?

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

How are instruments used to communicate the blues tradition?

Lesson summary: How are instruments used to communicate the blues tradition?

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

The next lesson in: Band Musicianship 2: The Blues is: How do improvisors communicate when performing in a band?

Browse Oak's lessons:

The next lesson in:
Band Musicianship 2: The Blues
is:
How do improvisors communicate when performing in a band?