(For Teens) Writing Sounds of Blackness: You Ain’t Got the Blues

Register here! No prior experience is needed.

Black women have voiced and penned some of the most popular songs in American music history. From Gertrude “Ma” Rainey to Lizzo, Respect Her Crank!: Writing Sounds of Blackness examines the delicate craft of songwriting through influential Black women singer-songwriters. Renowned singer-songwriter Amber Mimz facilitates multiple songwriting workshops designed to comprehensively teach elements of quality songwriting in various genres of music.

What’s it like to have the blues? Do you feel it in your stomach, in your heart, or in your throat? Learn about modern and historical blues music, explore storytelling through lyrics, and create your own blues cadence by using Soundtrap.

ASL translation will be provided for this program. If you have any questions about accessibility for this program, please email hirshhornexperience@si.edu.

This project received support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative.