The three major categories of music that exists in our world may be defined as folk, classical and popular. In this entry I cover aspects of Folk and Popular as it developed within the US between 1850 and 1950.
Reviewing the Categories of Music
Folk Music -
All cultures have some form of folk music, music developed by the inhabitants of an area where music has been passed on from generation to generation through the oral tradition. This type of music is closely related to the traditional uses of music in these areas and reflects the traditional culture of its region. Folk music is built on the traditional scales or tones that have existed for thousands of years in a region. Of course, folk music only uses acoustic instruments. Because of the way it is passed on it is, generally, of a simple nature avoiding melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and texts that are difficult to memorize.
Classical Music (also called Art Music) -
While composed by people, classical music is considered the music of the educated; those that have received special training and exhibit an innate ability with respect to creating or performing music. Classical music, by intention, doesn’t particularly reflect a specific culture but does reflect the best practices universally accepted across a broad range of a particular era. It tends to be somewhat complex in comparison to folk music. Most frequently it is written with the intention of being studied or played by highly skilled musicians.
Popular Music -
Almost an American phenomena, popular music’s existence is driven by the opportunity for economic reward. Song writers, performers, publishers, distributors, concert managers, and retail establishments are a part of the popular music economy that are a part of the music enterprise. Popular music, though it appeals to a broad range of people, tends to its many genres accepted under sociological implications. These involve economic status, age range, ethnic environment, region, and level of education.
The United States as it looked in 1850
The United States as it looked in 1900
With the growth of the United States of America came changes in musical tastes partly because of the variety of nationalities making up the US population and the regions in which they lived.
Popular Music
Popular Music
- Broad appeal and listener base
- Developed to be commercialized
- broadcast
- published and distributed
- sold
- Transcends many boundaries
Common Traits of Popular Music
- Simple and tuneful
- Singable
- Repetitive
- Three (or less) chords — I - IV - V
- Strong beat and regular meter
- Clear phrases
- Easily recognizable
- Today – effective marketing is critical to achieving success
- Do not remain popular (on the charts) for a long time
- Few survive to become “standards”
American Popular Music Scenes
- Tin Pan Alley
- Country & Western
- African American-Influenced
- Blues
- Gospel
- Motown
- Rap
- Pop/Rock
New York and music of Tin Pan Alley was pervasive from 1880 to 1960 –
- Vaudeville – 1907 to 1932
- Broadway musicals – 1920’s to present
- Films with synchronized music – 1927
- Nightclubs – the “Big Band” era
- Radio and recordings
- Concerts
Vaudeville Shows featured -
- Singers
- Dancers
- Comedians
- Jugglers
- Animals
- Child Performers
- Dramatic Sketches
Vaudeville Drifts from Popularity and Replaced by the Broadway Musical
- An American art form
- The musical play is not Opera
- National tours of Broadway hits allow others to see musical theater of high quality
- Examples
- Porgy and Bess
- The Sound of Music
- The Music Man
- West Side Story
- Carousel
- Camelot
- A Chorus Line
- Cats
Example: I Get a Kick Out of You
Here’s a rendition of lead song from a 1934 Broadway musical. This version was recorded by Frank Sinatra in the 1950s. By then the song was better known than the musical from which it came. This version is very similar to other swing music of the late 1940s and 1950s.
Radio and Early Recordings
- Invention of the term “Hit”
- Folk styles preserved through studio recordings
- Fame possible for obscure artists
- Aided the spread of Jazz
- “Live” radio variety programs
Country Music’s Roots
- Hillbilly
- Cowboy Songs
- Western Swing
- Bluegrass
- Grand Ole Opry
- Nashville Sound
Bluegrass Music
- Mountain Music
- Instruments
- Acoustic guitar
- Fiddle
- Mandolin
- Bass Fiddle
- Banjo
- Artists Then
- Bill Monroe
- Lester Flatt
- Earl Scruggs
- Artists Now
- Alison Krauss
- Nickel Creek
- Nashville Bluegrass Band
Example: The Crow
Steve Martin, Bela Flek and Tony Trischka join to play banjo music in the Bluegrass style on a 2009 performance with David Letterman. Pay particular attention to the “clawhammer” style of playing and the tonal differences in the sounds of the three banjos. Though constructed of similar materials, they each of a distinctive sound. Fiddle and guitar are also heard in this video. The tune, by the way, was written by Steve Martin himself.
Prof. Songer
JCTC - Downtown
