appalachian music and culture final
TRANSCRIPT
Appalachian Music and Culture
By Caroline DaniellMUS 1234
How to Define Appalachian Music
The Region of the Appalachian Mountains include: Georgia
Tennessee
South Carolina
North Carolina
Kentucky
West Virginia
Virginia
Pennsylvania
Parts of Ohio and Maryland
(underlined = region of focus of this ppt) http://www.geology.iupui.edu/Research/BioMineralLab/Ocoee/overview.html
How to Define Appalachian Music
Influences included: Celtic ballads Anglo-Saxon African American Music Gospel
Fun Fact!
The formation of the Appalachian Mountains appealed to poorer people looking for cheaper, unwanted land such as the accordion-like steep ridges, full of foliage entanglements like mountain laurel, and therefore difficult to transverse, alongside valleys and 'hollers' full of generally agriculturally
useless soil.
History of Appalachian Culture and Music
Immigrants from England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and Wales attempted to recreate the instruments of their homelands. Some exact copies, some approximations.Difficult terrain kept inhabitants somewhat isolated which kept music and culture highly preserved for many generations.Cumberland gap discovered in 1750 that led to fertile Kentucky bluegrass country enabling music and culture to also flourish.
History of Appalachian Culture and Music Cont'd
Two Periods Traditional Music- Early 18th century-
1900,Ballads and Dance, from Anglo-Celtic Immigrants, today's version known as Bluegrass
“Old Time Music”- 1900-1930, blends of traditional with parlour and vaudeville, African-American styles, and Minstrel Show tunes
Traditional Music
Based on Anglo-Celtic folk ballads and instrumental dance tunes
Many times sung unaccompanied Tonal, nasal quality, like the accents of these
regions also do Celtic variations to reflect American locations,
contexts, and occupations with American Christian influence
Bluegrass versus Old Time Music
OT songs are about whiskey and food.
BG songs are about God, mother and the girl who did me wrong.
If the girlfriend isn’t murdered by the third verse, it ain’t Bluegrass
OT bands have nonsense names like “Hoss Hair Pullers” “Fruit Jar Drinkers” and “Skillet Lickers”. BG bands have serious gender-specific name like “Bluegrass Boys,” “Foggy Mountain Boys,” and “Clinch Mountain Boys”
http://bluegrasswest.com/wordpress
Bluegrass Versus Old Time Music Cont'd
The most common OT keys are major and modal (i.e. minor). BG uses major, mixolydian, Dorian and minor keys
A BG band has between 1 and 3 singers who are singing about an octave above their natural vocal range. Some OT bands have no singers at all.
A BG band has a vocal orchestrator who arranges duet, trio and quartet harmonies.
In an OT band, anyone who feels like it can sing or make comments during the performance.
All BG tunes & songs last 3 minutes. OT tunes & songs sometimes last all night.
Legends of Appalachian Music
Bill Monroe Father of Bluegrass-invented the style and
name Formed the Blue Grass Boys in 1940's Bluegrass Hall of Honor and received a
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the National Medal of the Arts
Check out an awesome tune by Bill and the Blue Grass Boys! Blue Moon of Kentucky
Legends of Appalachian MusicThe Carter Family
Recorded over 300 old-time ballads, traditional tunes, country songs, and gospel hymns
Original members were Mother Maybelle Addington Carter(guitar and sang harmony), Sara Dougherty(dulcimer, alto lead) Alviln Pleasant(A.P.) Carter(fiddle and sang bass)
Originated in mountains of Virginia and eventually landed in the Grand Ole Opry in Knoxville, Tennessee
My Favorite Carter Family Tune: Will the Circle be Unbroken
Legends of Appalachian Music
Ralph Stanley Born in Stratton, VA Banjo player,
clawhammer style Formed Stanley Brothers
with his brother Carter Focused on Gospel-like until
Carter's death in 1966, thenRalph sang grieving and haunting melodies such as Man of Constant Sorrow
http://www.last.fm/music/Ralph+Stanley
Legends of Appalachian MusicEarl Scruggs Born into a very musical
family in North Carolina Played unique style
of Banjo, with 3 fingers,since age 10
Invited to play in BlueGrass Boys with Bill Monroe and on the Grand Ole Opry
Joined with Lester Flatts to form Foggy Mountain Boys
Recently passed away March 28, 2012
Instruments used in Appalachian Music
Guitar Mandolin *Notice limited percussion
instruments*
Fiddle Banjo Dulcimer Spoons Bass
Guitar
Often primary instrument Sets melody of song Single or Multiple used Strummed and Picked Body sometimes used
as percussion or 'count in'
Fiddle
AKA Violin in classical music Bowed and
sometimes Plucked 4 or 5 Strings
Dulcimer Also known as: Appalachian dulcimer, lap
dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, dulcimore, dulcymore, harmony, harmonium, and hog fiddle
Played on lap Multiple variations Strummed and
picked
Banjo
Essentially a crossbetween a snare drumand a guitar
6 strings High tones Unique three finger
picking style
My Uncle!
Spoons and Household Instruments
Spoons-played between hands and thigh Washboard-strummed Jug- blown like
a flute Percussion sources
Mandolin
Smaller, 12 string instrument Played high on chest Higher tones Unique Picking style
Bass
Standing Bass used in Appalachian music Plucked, not Bowed Sets back beat
instead of percussion
Dancing Styles to Appalachian Music
Based on Celtic dancing styles Follow the music A form of percussion for the music
Clogging Flatfooting Buckdancing Square dancing
Clogging Based on Celtic dancing Clogging is a rhythmic, percussive dancing
style that goes with Appalachian music. Can be done individually or in a group or square dance (as seen in video below). The dancers respond the the caller as he announces the next moves. Clogging
Flatfooting
One of the styles of dance that involves a lot of irregular steps and shuffle with no hopping or springing found in clogging
Check out this example! Flat Footing
Why did I chose Appalachian Music?
This type of music was the music of my homeland and ancestors. My family is from the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. I grew up listening and participating in Bluegrass Jam sessions with my father and Uncle and their band, attending festivals. I even got a chance to meet Ralph Stanley!This music is near and dear to my heart.
I hope you have enjoyed the history and experience of Appalachian Music, both Bluegrass and Old Time.
Caroline Daniell
References http://appalachianculturalmusic.org/
http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/appalach.htm
http://www.arministry.org/AppalachianCulturePP.pdf
http://www.blueridgeheritage.com/heritage/music
http://www.museumofappalachia.org/Mountain_Music_at_the_Museum_of_Appalachia.htm
http://www.leecagledulcimers.com/id62.html
http://bluegrasswest.com/wordpress/?p=56
http://www.southernmusic.net/carterfamily.htm
References Cont'd
http://www.biography.com/people/earl-scruggs-20638979
http://www.billmonroe.com/ http://www.oldtimeherald.org/archive/back_iss
ues/volume-6/6-8/dance.html