The Legend of Robert Johnson
Legend says that Robert Johnson was born with an intense desire to be a great musician. So great was this desire, that when he was instructed to take his guitar to a crossroads of route 49 and route 61 and met the devil there, that he sold his soul to the devil for his musical ability. The devil took Johnson's guitar, tuned it, played a few tunes, and gave it back. By accepting the guitar back Johnson sealed the deal that would give him the ability to record songs that would make him famous, and gave the devil his eternal soul. The following link is to the website for the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation. There you will find a detailed history of Johnson and his music, as well as much more interactive material and media! |
Robert Johnson was a hero to may guitarists including:
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The legend of Robert Johnson has been told with many variations over time, as any oral history would be. The irony of the story is that he wasn't really very famous during his lifetime. His music came after the initial blues craze of the 20's and early 30's, and the public wasn't very aware of him. Johnson would reach true fame and his legend would be told and retold with more frequency when he influenced the musicians of the blues revival in the 60's and 70's listed above.
Why is this important to us as young jazz musicians?
It could not be more important!
As we try to learn to play the blues and jazz, it is important to remember that we are trying to learn to speak a language. We don't learn languages by reading a book. We learn by SPEAKING them. By HEARING others speak and copying their example. The Rolliing Stones, Eric Clapton, and others LISTENED to the music of Johnson. Then they LISTENED AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN until his music was incorporated into theirs. By copying his style, and then creating, their music evolved into something NEW and DIFFERENT!
As you progress through the Jazz Program here at Easton Middle School you are strongly encouraged to listen. Find famous musicians that play your instrument and make them a part of your daily listening, just like fans of Johnson did! Who knows? Maybe if you learn enough, you will ignite the next music craze! A page of suggested listening is at the bottom if you would like some help! As you practice your solos over the blues, try to find other blues solos that people have played and copy them. Use your ears. There is no need to re-invent the wheel!
Why is this important to us as young jazz musicians?
It could not be more important!
As we try to learn to play the blues and jazz, it is important to remember that we are trying to learn to speak a language. We don't learn languages by reading a book. We learn by SPEAKING them. By HEARING others speak and copying their example. The Rolliing Stones, Eric Clapton, and others LISTENED to the music of Johnson. Then they LISTENED AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN until his music was incorporated into theirs. By copying his style, and then creating, their music evolved into something NEW and DIFFERENT!
As you progress through the Jazz Program here at Easton Middle School you are strongly encouraged to listen. Find famous musicians that play your instrument and make them a part of your daily listening, just like fans of Johnson did! Who knows? Maybe if you learn enough, you will ignite the next music craze! A page of suggested listening is at the bottom if you would like some help! As you practice your solos over the blues, try to find other blues solos that people have played and copy them. Use your ears. There is no need to re-invent the wheel!