ethnic group, Black Americans have impacted our society with their culture and their music. From work songs, to blues, jazz, gospel, rock and rap, Black musicians have seasoned the melting pot of the United States with music that touches the heart and soul of all people.
Task: Listen to “Stormy Weather” by Ethel Waters and Duke Ellington. Also, read more about Jazz history here.
Black Gospel: The birthplace of Rock
Slaves were initially not allowed to
practice any religion as they were considered to be without souls. As Afro-Americans were allowed to convert to Christianity, the same “call and response” style that dominated the work song became praise to God. It is characterized as emotional with a wide vocal range. Major artists associated with gospel music include Mahalia Jackson, James Cleveland, and the Soul Stirrers. Gospel eventually led to the birth of “Rock and Roll.”
Gospel Popular
Overview
Note: You will need internet access and the ability to listen to mp3 and Real Audio files to complete this lesson.
Probably more than any other
Task: Follow this link and listen to this example of a work song (Real Audio.)
Blues and Jazz
The work song led to the blues,
which is generally a 12 measure form with AAB lyrical format. The topic is usually about how bad things are. Blues are usually accompanied by one or more instruments and often have improvised instrumental verses. Bessie Smith, Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King are several well known Blues artists
Task: Follow this link and listen to this example of the blues by Muddy Waters (mp3.) Also, read more about the blues here.
To Jazz
Blues and Jazz - Continued
Jazz is thought to have started in New
Orleans around 1890. This early Dixieland music had a two beat, similar to the march. However, by the 1920’s its meter evolved into four. Chicago, New York and Kansas City became centers for jazz development. Bigห้องสมุดไป่ตู้Band music dominated the 1940’s. The fifties saw cool and beat jazz develop, which were more intimate styles. The sixties gave birth to fusion, which was a combination of rock and jazz. Jazz, like the early work song, was an expression of the black condition of the day.
Collage created by Ken Sockwell
Work Songs
This genre began with black
slaves. Generally, the songs were “call and response” and sung while the workers were toiling in fields. Therefore, it is mostly unaccompanied and its composers are unknown. Roots are the African Work Song. This genre led to the “Blues.”
The Musical Culture of Black Americans
An Interactive Lesson by Ken Sockwell
Work Songs Blues and Jazz
Overview Standards Assignments Credits Websites Contact Info