Country Bluegrass Modern Folk Musical Instruments example essay topic

Appalachian MusicAppalachee - people on the other side Folk music - What is folk music? Traditional songs existing in countries. Handed down through generations. Passes on by word of mouth, not written in musical notation.

Don't know who wrote it. Melody and lyrics change as they are passed on. Folk Music is History in song: Tells about daily lives. Tells about Special events - often tragedies, themes of romance, battle, adventure, and history. Purpose of folk music: Entertainment, recreation, socializing, dancing, games. Teaching, make work go faster, religious.

Tells a story (ballads). Origins of Appalachian people: Ireland Scotland England Music influenced by folk and mountain music: Country Bluegrass Modern folk Musical instruments used (folk instruments): Dulcimer, fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, autoharp, mouth bow, washtub bass. Body percussion, spoons, washboard, Jew's harp. Harmonica, jug.

Bluegrass Music - What is bluegrass music? Direct descendant of old-time string band tradition, which developed out of Southern mountain dance music & songs. Combines old-time string band music with gospel harmonies & blues rhythms. Played on acoustic instruments (natural sound): Banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, bass fiddle, dobro (guitar) Instrumental leads used to show off technical ability Distinctive vocal harmonies Originations of Bluegrass Bill Monroe - 'The father of Bluegrass' Grew up in Rosin e, Kentucky (Ohio County) Music takes its name from Bill Monroe's band, The Blue Grass Boys Influenced by -Pendleton Van diver ('Uncle Pen') the uncle who 'raised' Bill and taught him how to play the fiddle. Arnold Schultz, black 'blues's inger and guitar player. Timeline: 1911 - Bill Monroe born on September 131940's - development of bluegrass music 1950's - people began referring to his style of music as Bluegrass 1960's - concept of 'bluegrass festival' introduced 1996 - Bill Monroe died on September 91997 - Bill Monroe inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Because of his influence on popular music Bluegrass Music featured in: Films of 'Bonnie and Clyde', 'Deliverance " Television Shows of 'The Beverly Hillbillies', 'The Dukes of Hazard " Written Overview A sample overview of the history of bluegrass music follows.

It should be brief but comprehensive, as it may also be the introduction of the music to teachers as a study guide before or after an in school presentation or they may include this information in a history of social studies discussion if a program presentation is not possible. Bluegrass Music: The Roots The street balladry of the people who began migrating to America in the early 1600's is considered to be the roots of traditional American music. As the early Jamestown settlers began to spread out into the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky and the Virginias, they composed new songs about day to day like experiences in the new land. Since most of these people lived in rural areas, the songs reflected life on the farm or in the hills and this type of music was called 'mountain music' or 'country music.

' The invention of the phonograph and the onset of the radio in the early 1900's brought this old-time music out of the rural Southern mountains to people all over the United States. Good singing became a more important part of country music. Singers like Jimmy Rodgers, family bands like the Carter family from Virginia and duet teams like the Monroe brothers from Kentucky contributed greatly to the advancement of traditional country music. The Monroe brothers were one of the most popular duet teams of the 1920's and into the 1930's. Charlie played the guitar, Bill played the mandolin and they snag duets in harmony. When the brothers split up as a team in 1938, both went on to form their own bands.

Since Bill was a native of Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, he decide to call his band 'Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys,' and this band sound birthed a new form of country music. ' Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys' first appeared on the 'Grand Ole Opry' in 1939 and soon became one of the most popular touring bands out of Nashville's WSM studios. Bill's new band was different from other traditional country music bands of the time because of its hard driving and powerful sound, utilizing traditional acoustic instruments and featuring highly distinctive vocal harmonies. This music incorporated songs and rhythms from string band, gospel (black and white), work songs and 'shouts' of black laborers, country and blues music repertoires. Vocal selections included duet, trio, and quartet harmony singing in addition to Bill's powerful 'high lonesome's olo lead singing.