How to Explain Blues Music to Children
For generations, blues music has inspired listeners young and old. Artists like B.B. King and John Lee Hooker, who were inspired by blues musicians before them, have left a lasting impact on the genre by helping reinvent it again and again. Many parents hope to pass an appreciation of blues music down to their children. Blues music can serve as a lesson in empathy, imploring listeners to relate to the woes of the musician. It's also a powerful look at our nation's past.
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Instructions
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Explain the history of blues music to your children. Blues is one of the few music genres to originate in the United States. Visit your local library or check the Internet for children's books about Blues music.
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Listen with your children to blues records on the radio or Internet. Identify key characteristics of the genre so your children know what to look for. Key components of blues music include acoustic guitar and lyrical repetition. Many blues artists will also perform the same song multiple times in different keys.
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Explain stylistic differences in region and era. For example, although Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters are both highly influential Blues artists from Mississippi, they played two entirely different styles of blues. Country, Delta and Chicago blues are a few of the main kinds of blues music.
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Play popular rock music your children might be familiar with and ask if they can identify similarities. Elements of blues music are often present in rock and roll, as the latter is largely influenced by blues music. If children can apply familiar music to the blues, they're much more likely to connect with it.
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Tips & Warnings
Take children to a live blues performance. The power of blues music is best experienced in person. Introduce children to blues performer if possible and have them explain what they love about the genre.
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