Appalachian Music

Appalachian Music

Appalachee - 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 (resophonic guitar)

Instrumental leads used to show off technical ability

Distinctive vocal harmonies

Originations of Bluegrass

Bill Monroe - "The father of Bluegrass"

Grew up in Rosine, Kentucky (Ohio County)

Music takes its name from Bill Monroe's band, The Blue Grass Boys

Influenced by -

Pendleton Vandiver ("Uncle Pen") the uncle who "raised" Bill and taught

him how to play the fiddle.

Arnold Schultz, black "blues" singer and guitar player.

Timeline:

1911 - Bill Monroe born on September 13

1940'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 9

1997 - 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"

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