Question

Part of the general character of the blues was created by bending the pitches of notes to what were called

Answer 1

The character of the blues music includes bending notes to create "blue" notes, which are tones bent from the major to minor, contributing to its unique soulful sound. These characteristics emerged during the Harlem Renaissance with significant contributors such as W. C. Handy and Bessie Smith.

Step-by-step explanation:

Part of the general character of the blues was created by bending the pitches of notes to what were called "blue" notes. These are tones in the major and pentatonic scale that are bent to create minor tones, giving the blues its distinctive sound of melancholy and soulfulness. This technique, along with the influence of African rhythms and the call-and-response format, strongly characterizes the blues music that became prominent during the cultural movement known as the Harlem Renaissance.

Artists like W. C. Handy, known as "the Father of the Blues", and singers like Bessie Smith, "The Empress of the Blues", played key roles in capturing and popularizing this unique sound derived from African American spirituals, work songs, and folklore.