What is Blues Music?

Series Summary

A member of the woodwind family, the flute is a reedless instrument that plays music when air is blown over the opening or an edge. Early flutes were made of bone and date back 30,000 to 50,000 years in certain parts of the world. There are different types of flutes including piccolo, treble flute, concert flute, soprano flute, bass flute, hyperbass flute and contra-flutes. The concert flute is the most common flute and is played using the fingers to push down “keys” that let air escape from certain holes. Each combination of keys makes a certain note. These flutes all vary in octave, range and pitch. There are bamboo flutes and double flutes that are made using organic materials and played by covering holes with your fingers.

In this series of videos, learn more about playing the flute from our expert. An experienced player, Kiely Griffin first teaches you about blues music and how you can encorporate that in playing your flute. You will also learn about the accessories needed for playing and caring for your flute. Learn scales easily by watching videos on the scale of Bb. Tuning your flute is often necessary to get the right sound. Other common problems with flutes are addressed in this series as well. Get tips on private lessons and instructional books and learn how to play the flute!

Video Transcript

"Today I would be talking about how to play the blues in B flat. I will talk about where the blues originated from. From the field workers of African slave when they come over to the United States and how they involve to the musical form of jazz. I will talk about the form of blues. I will talk about how it works with the chord changes. I will talk about the scales that go along with the blues and also the form of the blues. Which includes a head and a theme all by improvise solo or ending with the head and the theme. So I will now play the song Blues in B flat so you can hear the B flat. "