We’ve Got the Blues
Use this activity to have students create their own blues story.
Students can listen to “I’ve Got the Blues” by Sam Myers to get a sense of how lyrics and storytelling can happen over a basic blues line.
Then, using this backing track video, have students create their own blues story. They can choose a real issue or concern in their lives or create an entirely fictional narrative.
- Challenge each student to write a narrative that lasts for a full 8 bar blues phrase. Older or more advanced students can be asked to sing their narrative along with a simple melody. Younger students can rhythmically speak their story.
- Have them end the story in the 8th bar with the phrase “I’ve got the blues”