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| Singin’ The Blues: A Webquest |
| by Patricia Espejo |
| Introduction |
| B. B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Issac Hayes, ZZ Top, Dr. John, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Ike Turner, and James Taylor – what do they all have in common? |
| The blues is considered one of the major influences of popular music today. The forerunner of jazz, it has affected and inspired the music or our times, not just in America, but all around the world. In this Webquest you will take a journey into musical history. You will listen to W C. Handy, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and some of the other original Blues artists, their words and their songs. Sit back and enjoy!! |
| Task |
| Working in pairs, you will research the history of the Blues. Each group will do the following: |
| · Create a booklet about the Blues. In this booklet, you will include a brief history, tracing the Blues back to its origin. Include information about three specific types of Blues, naming one or two people associated with each type of Blues. You will also include a brief biographical sketch about two Blues singers, male or female. The booklet should also include the questions and answers found in “The Process” section of this Webquest. Don’t forget to include pictures of the people you chose and any other pictures you may feel are appropriate. |
| · Each group will pretend they are Blues singers from the past. You will write your own Blues song and perform it in front of the class. You should use any props you feel necessary (i.e. musical instruments, clothes, recorded music, etc.) Use your imagination. |
| Process and Resources |
| Break up into pairs. Divide the work equally between the two of you and decide which sites each of you will visit. Follow these steps: |
| · Explore the history of the Blues and
answer the questions that go with the various sites.
· Decide which people you wish to write about and use the appropriate sites to find information. · Decide which forms of Blues you will include and use the appropriate sites to find information. · Create your booklet. Don’t forget to include pictures. · View the lyrics site to get ideas for your own song. · Write your own lyrics. · Hand in the booklet. · Give your oral presentation. Use props and visuals as necessary. |
|
You will use the following sites to find information about the history of the Blues: |
| Musical
History of the Blues – gives the history of the Blues on up to the
1990’s.
a. How far back can the oral tradition of the blues be traced? |
| A
Brief History of the Blues
b. Which female singer recorded the first vocal Blues song? What was the title and year? c. What is one of the defining characteristics of the Blues? |
| The Early
Blues – click on Background to the Blues
d. What inspired the slaves to sing? e. What was reflected in their songs? The Early Blues – click on Chronology of the Blues f. Who was the first “hard” Blues singer ever to record? Another Brief History of the Blues g. Who is considered the “Father of the Blues?” h. Where did he first hear the music? |
| What
is the Blues? – General background on African American Music
i. Which cultures contributed to the development of the Blues? j. What is a “ring shout?” k. What style of blues was performed exclusively by women during the 1920’s? What is the Blues? - A more specific history of the Blues music tradition l. What was the earliest form of Blues? m. After World War II which city became the center of Blues activity? n. Where was the cradle of country Blues? Blues Legends - click on the Blues Legend link and find a favorite information on your favorite Blues singer/musician. Visit Women in Blues History – Click on Historical Profiles. Some information about the magnificent ladies of the Blues |
| A
Blues History - Click on Roots & Influences
o. Where and when was the Blues born? Delta Blues Museum p. Which town considers itself the birthplace of the blues? You can also find biographies at these other sites:
|
| Billie
Holiday – Her life, her music, her songs
Blind Lemon Jefferson W. C. Handy W. C. Handy Robert Johnson |
| Take a guided tour of the blues and listen to
the sounds:
The Memphis Guide to the Blues – check out Memphis Blues, Memphis Music, and More Tours A Blues Tour – Scroll down and click on The Blues Tour. Also investigate any topic under the subject area. |
| Read about the various types of blues here:
The Blues Harp Page – click on the Blues Harp Legend What is the Blues? – click on the Background of Blues Music Blues Styles - click on Blues, then click on Styles |
| Take a walk down The
Blue Highway at for more information on artists. Click on The Blue
Highway button.
And finally, read some of the lyrics of some blues
songs at Harry’s Blues Lyrics
|
| Conclusion |
| Your quest is now complete. You have accomplished a great deal. Hopefully you now have a better understanding of the impact the Blues has on today’s music. What would music be like today if that influence weren’t present? When you listen to your favorite music, listen to the lyrics; think about the reasons why they were written. Then think about where and when it all started, about the people who sang the songs. How similar is today’s rap music to yesterday’s Blues music? Compare and contrast the two styles. What do you think? |
| Evaluation |
| Criteria: 1 – Beginning; 2 – Developing; 3 – Accomplished, 4 – Exemplary |
| Booklet |
| Category | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Score |
| Booklet Design | No pictures are included. Three or more of the required elements are missing. | Only one or two pictures are included. Two of the required elements are missing. | There are at least three pictures included. One of the required elements is missing. | Several pictures are included. All other required elements are present. | |
| Mechanics of Booklet | There are more than five spelling and/or grammatical errors. | There are three or more spelling and/or grammatical errors. | There are two or less spelling and/or grammatical errors. | There are no spelling and/or grammatical errors. | |
| Content | Much of the information is incorrect or missing. Subject knowledge is not evident. | There is limited knowledge of the subject. Some of the information is incorrect or missing | There is definite evidence of subject knowledge. Essential information is included in most places. | Definite knowledge of the subject is evident. The topic is covered in great depth. | |
| Research | Questions weren’t answered. Biographies, history, and styles were copied and brief. No details are given. | Some questions were answered. Biographies, history, and styles were brief and missing information. Very little detail is given. | Most questions were answered. Biographies, history, and styles were detailed, but some information was missing. | Questions were answered thoroughly. Biographies, history, and styles were detailed. | |
| Timeline | Booklet was late by three or more days. | Booklet was late by two days. | Booklet was late by one day. | Booklet was handed in on time. | |
| Total |
| Oral Presentation |
| Category | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Score |
| Originality of Lyrics | There is no evidence of original thought. The use of other people’s ideas is clearly evident. | There is some evidence of the use of other people’s ideas. Very little creativity is present. | There is some original thought. Some creativity is present. | There is much evidence of original thought. The ideas are inventive and extremely creative. | |
| Delivery | There is no evidence of any kind of preparation. The delivery was not well thought out. No props or visuals were used. | There was very little preparation evident. Very little thought was given to the delivery. Visuals or props were almost non-existent. | Some preparation was definitely evident. There was some thought given to the delivery. Some props or visuals were used. | There was a great deal of preparation evident. It was well rehearsed and showed ease of delivery Extensive props and visuals were used. | |
| Total |
| Teamwork |
| Category | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Score |
| Participation - Working Together | None of the time. | Some of the time. | Most of the time. | All of the time. | |
| Sharing Ideas | None of the time. | Some of the time. | Most of the time. | All of the time. | |
| Communication Between Members | None of the time. | Some of the time. | Most of the time. | All of the time. | |
| Sharing the Workload | None of the time. | Some of the time. | Most of the time. | All of the time. | |
| Total |
| Final Score |
| Category | Score |
| Booklet | |
| Oral Presentation | |
| Teamwork | |
| Final Score |
|