Introduction
Blues is one of the few music genres that originated in the African-American communities. Its main characteristics are unusual rhythm, repeatable lyrics, and unique chord progressions, which make the genre instantly recognizable. Over the years, blues has gained popularity not only in the African-American communities but also throughout the whole world. Nowadays, blues is one of the most prominent genres in the music industry and has developed a variety of sub-genres. However, to thoroughly comprehend the complexity of blues, it is crucial to understand the origins of the genre – where and when it was first used, and who were the founders.
Main body
Though the place and time of the origin of blues music are not fully established, the researchers have a vague idea of the roots of this genre. Supposedly, the initial stages of blues development took place in Mississippi in the late 1800s (The origin of blues music, 2011).
Originally, the earlier versions of blues were performed by traveling performers during tent shows. Such exhibitions were visited by artists, musicians of various schools, and circuses, and this variety demonstrates how noticeable blues was growing to be. However, the center of blues development was a place called Dockery Plantation in Clarksdale, where the most prominent blues musicians were gathering (The origin of blues music, 2011). Even though the term blues was not yet being used, the performers in Mississippi were already establishing the foundation of the genre.
To gain a clearer understanding of the blues music origins, it is vital to discuss the founding members of the genre. It is safe to assume that the founding father of the blues was William Christopher Handy (The origin of blues music, 2011).
William was born in 1873 in Alabama and spent their earlier years working as a music teacher (The origin of blues music, 2011). In 1903, he moved to Clarksdale, where he encountered a performing traveler who was exhibiting an unusual composition (The origin of blues music, 2011). By analyzing the performance of the street singer, William was able to create a unique sound (The origin of blues music, 2011). This discovery has led to the establishment of blues music in the future.
In every genre, some figures shaped the whole direction of music. In blues, such a musician was Gertrude Pridgett, an African-American woman who was born in 1886 in Georgia (The origin of blues music, 2011). Later, she took the singer name of Ma Rainey and is believed to be one of the first performers in the genre and the mother of the blues (The origin of blues music, 2011). This title is a representation of her talent and abilities in music. After she married William Rainey in 1904, Gertrude spent the following twenty years traveling and performing in the South (The origin of blues music, 2011). The life of Ma Rainey is not described in the smallest details, but she is rightfully considered one of the most prominent figures in blues.
Conclusion
Summing up, a deeper understanding of the music genre comes from its origin, and blues has a profound history of its creation. The most relevant components of the establishment of a music genre are the place, the time, and the founders. Blues was established in the environment of traveling performers, thus not all the details are available to the researchers. Nevertheless, it does not make the origins of blues music less charming or less relevant.
Reference
The origin of blues music (2011). All About Blues Music. Web.