Discovering Music: The Blues
Added to website 12/08/2019. Updated 24/03/2025.
A free course introducing the history and key technical features of the blues.
This course is ideal for GCSE or A level study. Teachers may use it as a resource or it could by used as a self-study course for students. No ability to read musical notation is required. Technical information about chords and 12-bar is presented in short videos.
After studying this course, you should be able to:
- describe the historical context of the blues
- explain the nature of typical blues lyrics
- recognise a blues scale
- understand the concept of primary chords
- understand the 12-bar blues structure
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About the Provider
The Open University
The Open University is a global leader in higher education able to reach every adult in the United Kingdom - and many others across the world.
