The Blues: Roots and Legends
Born in the African American communities of the Deep South, the blues shaped nearly every form of popular music that followed.
- Art and music
- Adults
- Medium
- Serious
- 10 questions
- about 5 min
- Feedback after each question
Against each other
For kids and playful souls
See the questions
Without the right answers, so they're still a surprise when you play.
Question 1
Which region is most often called the birthplace of the blues?
- Chicago
- The Mississippi Delta
- New Orleans
- Memphis
Question 2
How many bars long is the standard blues chord progression?
- 16 bars
- 8 bars
- 32 bars
- 12 bars
Question 3
Who is known as the "Father of the Blues"?
- W.C. Handy
- Robert Johnson
- Charley Patton
- Lead Belly
Question 4
Which bluesman is famously linked to the legend of selling his soul to the devil at a crossroads?
- Muddy Waters
- Howlin' Wolf
- Robert Johnson
- Son House
Question 5
Which Chicago record label recorded Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Little Walter?
- Sun Records
- Chess Records
- Stax Records
- Motown
Question 6
What did B.B. King name his guitars?
- Lucille
- Bessie
- Mabel
- Ruby
Question 7
Which singer was known as the "Empress of the Blues"?
- Ma Rainey
- Billie Holiday
- Etta James
- Bessie Smith
Question 8
Blue notes are typically created by lowering which scale degrees?
- Second, fourth and sixth
- First, fourth and fifth
- Third, fifth and seventh
- Second, sixth and octave
Question 9
Which instrument did Little Walter revolutionize in Chicago blues?
- Piano
- Upright bass
- Slide guitar
- Harmonica
Question 10
What is the typical lyric pattern of a traditional blues verse?
- ABAB
- AAB
- ABCB
- AABB
