On Friday at Young Peoples Concert we got to see the the Blues Berries perform. Their show was amazing and we all had lots of fun moving to the music.
We learned about the history of blues music and more about the history of musical instruments. They told us how blues music originated in the deep south and was largely influenced by African American slaves. We learned that drums are very important in African culture and that drums are not only used to entertain people or to give rhythm to a song but are like the heart beat of their culture. However, before slavery was abolished African American slaves were banned from using or having drums. But this didn’t stop the slaves. They created their own instruments using wash boards, wash tubs, broom sticks and strings to create their music bringing with it some of the earliest blues music. During their performance the Blues Berries performed a song using a bass guitar they created using a wash tub, long broom stick and string, tambourines, a wash board and a banjo and it sounded incredible.
We all learned about people who sang blues music and what their names were. We also learned about things that they did before singing and playing blues music.
DIY make your own tambourine:
~Bottle Caps
~Two pieces of ribbon
~Two firm paper plates
~Hole puncher
~paint
Pick a bright, fun color for your tambourine. Turn the plates over to the backside and add a coat or two of paint. Continue adding more with a brush until the whole thing is covered evenly. Set aside to dry.
Place approximately 20 bottle caps inside one of the paper plates. After adding bottle caps, place the other plate on top. Hole punch roughly six to eight times around the edge of the two plates. Buy an interesting ribbon that matches or complements the previously chosen paint color. Cut a piece of ribbon for each hole made. Weave the ribbon through the holes, pull tight and tie a bow for added flair.
For more information on The Blues Berries visit: https://www.blues-berries.com/
Author: G. K.
