Introduction

Around the beginning of the 20th century, a new musical genre was taking shape called "the blues," and an Alabamian named William Christopher (W.C.) Handy was leading the movement.

In this lesson, we're going to learn about blues music and some of W.C. Handy's accomplishments.


Handy, W. C. (William Christopher), "The 'St. Louis blues'" (1918). African American Sheet Music. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:18423/

 

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...

  • Identify and discuss W.C. Handy's relationship to blues music and the historical significance of the blues
  • Explain the musical characteristics of the blues

Enduring Understandings

  • People develop ideas and understandings of society, culture, and history through their interaction with and analysis of the arts.
  • Response to music is informed by analyzing context (social, cultural, and historical) and how creators and performers manipulate the elements of music.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Elements of Arts Literacy standards: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

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