Read Works
Read Works: Program Notes Rhapsody in Blue
[Free Registration/Login Required] This PDF is the Program Notes from The New York Philharmonic's production of "Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin. It provides information about Gershwin and his writing of the "jazz concerto." It is...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Women and the Blues
This collection uses primary sources to explore the impact of women blues performers.
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Gullah Net: Got the Blues
Learn about music called the Blues, and then write, play, and sing an original blues song.
PBS
Pbs American Masters: Scientific American: Following Muddy's Trail
This site has a lesson plan on Muddy Waters focused on the American Masters documentary about him. Parallels the Great Migration with the growth of the blues music movement in America. Click on Muddy's name to access a detailed biography...
Other
History in Motion: Boll Weevil Blues
This scenario shows the spread of the weevil and a few of the songs that singers such as Charley Patton, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and others created in the wake of its devastation. Click on the events to see the details of the...
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music: Historical Background
What is American roots music? The term "American roots music" may not be a familiar one, and requires some explanation. At the beginning of the 20th Century, the term "folk music" was used by scholars to describe music made by whites of...
Other
Honky Tonks, Hymns, and the Blues: Jimmie Rodgers
An extensive look at the father of country music, Jimmie Rodgers, along with audio clips, a biography, and sources for more information.
PBS
Pbs American Masters: Muddy Waters
Take a look into the life of blues artist Muddy Waters (1913-1983 CE). With an informative biography and an interactive career timeline, you will enjoy learning about this music legend.
PBS
Pbs: Crossroads Blues
Your student will discover more about the life and work of Robert Johnson with this informative lesson plan. This resource features lesson plans, web resources, and more.
English Club
English Club: History of Soul Music
Learn the history of soul music from its origins in gospel music, through Motown and Memphis Soul, to contemporary rhythm and blues. The site includes three videos: Sam Cooke singing "A Change is Gonna Come," from 1964, with images from...
Read Works
Read Works: Beating the Winter Blues
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the winter blues and how to lift your spirits. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
David Holt: The Roots of Mountain Music
This is a short history of the major influences that have combined to create mountain music, one of which is minstrel music. Provides a good decription of minstrel music in general. Includes names and descriptions of specific songs,...
PBS
Pbs: Blues Road Trip
Come and trace the migration of the blues through the United States. This site features an in-depth look at the origins of the Blues throughout its development across the Deep South of the US and beyond.
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music: Lesson Two: Desegregating the Airwaves: Blues on the Radio
This lesson deals with the emergence of the blues as a form of popular music on the radio, beginning in Helena, Arkansas in 1940. Students will understand and discuss the relationship between technological and social change, discuss how...
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: How to Blues
This site has ten lessons to teach about the blues in which students learn the geography, historical events and performers associated with the blues. The unit has been recognized by the American Music Education Initiative as one of the...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Robert Johnson
A brief biography and photograph of legendary blues guitarist, Robert Johnson.
Other
Old Time Victrola Music: Blackface Minstrel Music
This website from Old Time Victrola Music, which sells victrola recordings of minstrel music from 1918, provides samples of several minstrel songs in Real Audio format.
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Gertrude "Ma" Rainey
Known as the Mother of Blues, Gertrude "Ma" Rainey performed in a traveling minstrel show for over twenty years before recording over 100 songs for Paramount records. Because of her legacy as a blues singer, she has been inducted into...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Little Walter
Provides biographical details on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2008 inductee "Little Walter". Known for his sound of blues harmonica, he was a key contributor to the music of Muddy Waters. Includes timeline and song list.
Other
Down Beat Magazine: Billie Holiday
Jazz singer Billie Holiday is featured on this Down Beat website with a biography, pictures and a discography of her recording career.
Indiana University
Archives of African American Music and Culture
Contains resources on black culture and music from the early 1900s to the present.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 2: Langston Hughes and the Blues
Explore relationship between music and poetry in this African-American history lesson on Langston Hughes, the Harlem Renaissance, and other artists such as Bessie Smith, John Hammond, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.
Other
Banjo Tablatures
This comprehensive site covers many aspects of bluegrass banjo music. It includes bluegrass news, information, history, trivia, and multimedia. Also includes lesson plans for banjo, sample tablatures, bibliographies, workshops, and...
Other
The Bluegrass Guitar Homepage
Source of information about the acoustic flat-top guitar and the playing styles used in bluegrass music. Recommendations for instructional materials to learn to play; history of Doc Watson, discussion areas, links.
Other popular searches
- Blues Music Lesson Plans
- 12 Bar Blues Music
- Music Teaching the Blues
- Music Blues
- Blues Music Outline
- Compose Blues Music
- Activities and Blues Music
- Blues and Jazz Musicians
- Lesson in Blues Music
- Blues Music Lyric
- Blues Music Lessons
- Blues Music Harmonica