Music Gets
the Blues
SUMMARY

This book explores the ways that
blues music has influenced other musical
genres.

LESSON VOCABULARY

coalesced
inception
prodigy
rhythm and blues
yodeling

genre
mentors
reggae
spawned

INTRODUCE THE BOOK
INTRODUCE THE TITLE AND AUTHOR

Discuss with
students the title and the author of Music
Gets the Blues. Ask if any of them has ever
heard the expression “feeling blue.” Explain
that to “feel blue” means to feel sad or lonely.
Then explain that the blues are also a kind
of music. Ask students to tell you what they

information they should use in order to fill in
the charts.

BUILD BACKGROUND Play a selection of blues
music. Then discuss any knowledge students
have of blues music and any of the musicians
named in this book. Also discuss any
knowledge of the musical styles of country
music, jazz, and rock and roll.

What is the main idea of the first
paragraph on this page? (The phrase “the
blues” has been around for a very long time.)

Help students learn the names in
English of the various instruments discussed
or shown in this book; for example, guitar,
electric guitar, piano, trumpet, and saxophone.

PAGE 7

PREVIEW/USE TEXT FEATURES

Have students
look through the book. Point out the section
headings that divide the information into
smaller topics. Based on the section
headings, what kind of information do
students think the book will offer? Remind
students that as they read, they should also



REVISIT THE BOOK
READER RESPONSE

1. Main idea: Blues influenced musicians of
many genres. Details: Robert Johnson was
a major influence on rock-and-roll musicians.
Rhythm and blues is characterized by the
same blue notes and emotional quality.
English blues rock used the same structure
and blue notes. Reggae was influenced by
the blues sound carried to Jamaica.
2. Possible responses: Johnson: family poor,
moved frequently; built his own first guitar;
became nomadic musican. King: bought
first guitar; worked for Memphis radio
station; incorporated call-and-response.
Both: born in Mississippi; became musician
as teenager; influenced many other artists
3. Responses will vary.
4. Responses will vary.
EXTEND UNDERSTANDING

Ask students how
the different photographs and graphic
organizers added to their understanding
of the information. Which photographs did
students like the best? Why? Ask them to
use vivid language to describe their favorite

MAIN IDEA AND DETAILS

Remind students
that the main idea is the most important
idea about a topic. Supporting details are
small pieces of information that tell more
about the main idea. Let students know
that the main idea of Music Gets the Blues
is that blues music influenced many kinds
of other music. As students read, tell them
to look for the details that support this
main idea. Point out that often the main
ideas in various sections of a book are the
supporting details for the overall main idea.
GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS

Discuss how a
graphic organizer can help students organize
and focus on the most important information
in the text. Work with students to create a
Main Idea chart. (See TG p. 143.) Under
Main Idea, write: Blues music influenced
many other musical genres. Tell students to
find the details that support this idea.

ADDITIONAL SKILL INSTRUCTION
CAUSE AND EFFECT

Ask students to
define cause and effect. (why something


B

lues music has influenced other types of music. Pop music owes much of
its emotional singing to blues greats such as B. B. King. Jazz music, which
developed at almost the same time and nearly the same places as the blues, has
borrowed heavily from the blues over the years.

Main Idea

© Pearson Education 5

Supporting Details

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Music Gets the Blues

Name

Vocabulary
Directions Choose the word from the box that best matches each clue. Write the word on the line.

Check
the
Words


A verb that means “gave birth to.”

5.

When you sing this way, you change from an ordinary voice
to a high voice and then back again.

6.

This popular music began in the United States and was
influenced by the blues.

7.

This word could describe how several things came together.

8.

They teach—or at least provide models for you to learn from.

9.

A noun that means a type of artistic, musical, or literary work.

Directions Choose three words from the box and write a sentence for each of them.

© Pearson Education 5

10.