blues music | ReadOasis

Every Day I Have the Blues

Arts B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Courses Music Step 2A Protected Step 2 Stories

ReadOasis Step 2 Memphis Slim at the Piano Long black fingers were dancing. They were dancing on the white and black keys of the piano. From the comfort of their homes, people watched on their televisions. And they listened to the blue sounds of the piano. The piano player... Read more

W.C. Handy: Father of the Blues (Step 2)

Arts B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Courses Music Step 2B Protected Step 2 Stories 0

By Maria Sonora ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) W.C. Handy at age 19 "Then I saw the beauty of primitive music." W.C. Handy, Father of the Blues W.C. Handy grew up in the southern part of the United States, in a small town in Alabama. His father was a... Read more

The Treasure of the Blues

Arts BNC Levels C1-Advanced CEFR Levels Listen!Protected Step 5 Stories 0

ReadOasis Step 5 Blues Legend Robert Johnson The blues is a great treasure of American musical culture. It stands as the foundation for practically every form of American music in the 20th century, including gospel, jazz, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and hip hop. Blues music has its... Read more

W.C. Handy: Father of the Blues (Step 3)

Arts B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Courses Listen!Music Step 3A Protected Step 3 Stories 0

ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) "Then I saw the beauty of primitive music." W.C. Handy, Father of the Blues W.C. Handy at Age 19 W.C. Handy grew up in a small town in Alabama in the southern part of the US. His father was the pastor of a church,... Read more

The King of the Blues

Arts B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Listen!Protected Step 4 Stories

ReadOasis Step 4 B.B. King was a great master of blues guitar. Though he passed away on May 14, 2015, he lived to be 89, and he played professionally for nearly 70 years. (His first recording was in 1949.) Because of his last name and his great influence, fans... Read more

Experienced in the Blues: Eric Clapton

Arts B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Courses Listen!Music Step 2B Protected Step 2 Stories 0

ReadOasis Step 2 In June 1999, Eric Clapton sold 100 of his guitars. And his 1956 Fender guitar went for the record price of $497,500. In total, the sale brought in $5 million dollars. And Clapton gave the money to a drug and alcohol clinic that he started. After... Read more

Songs of Survival

Arts B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Courses Music Step 3A Protected Step 3 Stories

ReadOasis Step 3 It was my twentieth birthday. I was sitting in the family piano room when my father opened the door. He had a big smile on his face, and he said, "Happy Birthday!" Then he handed me a big box. Inside was a new guitar. It was... Read more

W.C. Handy: Father of the Blues (Step 2)

Arts B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Protected Step 2 Stories 0

By Maria Sonora ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 2) The First Blues Music Ever Published: The Memphis Blues It is significant that the Father of the Blues came from a religious home. This shows an important musical and cultural fact. Blues and gospel music share roots and similarities. They share... Read more

W.C. Handy: Father of the Blues (Step 3)

Arts B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Listen!Protected Step 3 Stories 0

ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 2) The First Blues Music Ever Published: The Memphis Blues It is significant that the Father of the Blues came from a religious home. This highlights a meaningful musical and cultural fact. Blues and gospel music share roots and similarities. They share musical qualities, such... Read more