Names:______________________________
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Class: _____________
The Blues
The Blues is a musical style which portrays a sad mood. Usually the blues composer has had very bad
luck and they express their feelings through their music. The words tell a sad story and the music helps to
deliver the sad message. Listen to the blues scale.
Directions: Using the scales below, write out the blues formula in the following keys; c, d, f, g, a.
Count the scale numbers to give you the correct chords. The first chord has been written.
Major Scale C:
C D E F G A B C
Major Scale D:
D E F# G A B C# D
Major Scale F:
F G A Bb C D E F
Major Scale G:
G A B C D E F# G
Major Scale A:
A B C# D E F# G# A
BLUES Formula:
I
IV
I
C
F
C
I
IV
IV
I
I
V
IV
I
D
F
G
A
Chords you will use:
C blues: C= ceg
F= fac
G= gbd
D blues: D=d f#a
G=gbd
A=a c# e
F blues: F=fac
Bb=Bb d f
C=ceg
G blues: G=gbd
C=ceg
D= d f# a
A blues: A= a c# e
D= d f# a
E= e g# b
Perform: You will play the chords in the progression. Each chord is held for 4 beats.
I
Compose: You will create a composition in the blues style in the key of your choice. Use the chord
progression you wrote out on page 1. For each chord, you will use the notes from the matching blues
scale or the matching major scale (see page 1). Your composition must be 12 measures long- 4 beats per
measure. You will perform your composition with the blues chords and a drum beat. You will hand in
your written composition after performing it for the class.
Scales:
C blues scale (use with the C chord): C Eb F F# G Bb C
D blues scale (use with the D chord): D F G G# A C D
E blues scale (use with the E chord): E G A A# B D E
F blues scale (use with the F chord): F Ab Bb B C Eb F
G blues scale (use with the G chord): G Bb C C# D F G
A blues scale (use with the A chord): A C D D# E G A
Bb blues scale (use with the Bb chord): Bb Db Eb E F Ab Bb
Performance Day:
In your team, one person will play the chords, the other will play the composed melody. You will have a
programmed drum beat playing while you perform. If you are working alone, you will play the chords
with a drum beat and then you will play your melody with the drum beat while Mrs. Myers plays your
chords.
Grading: (100 pts)
_____ (10 pts.)Paperwork (fill in this page and your written composition)
_____ (20 pts.)Chords performance
_____ (20 pts.)Melody performance
_____ (20 pts.)Melody creation (does it sound bluesy, did you use the notes from
the right scales)
_____ (20 pts.)Work Effort
_____ (10 pts.)Overall effect and drum beat
______ total score
Individual Scores: Put this on your individual score sheet!
Name:
Grade:
Comments:
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