In order to fully appreciate the origins (beginnings) and purposes of music from any era (time period), it is necessary to understand what was happening during that time period. We need to look at the time, place and characteristics of an era.

Time is about history.

Place is about geography.

Characteristics encompass what was the main ideas of the time and how they are reflected in music.

Time: 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries (1600’s , 1700’s & 1800’s)

Place: Early (Colonial) America

Characteristics:

• Colonization brought European (Bach, Beethoven, Mozart) influences (melody, harmony, timbre)

• Slavery brought African influences (rhythms, drums, banjo).

• Native Americans influences: song and dance.

• Both formal (classical) and folk music were played.

• Independence led to independent thinking and creating.

People traveled, on boats, from Europe (especially England) to begin a new life in a new world that would later become the United States of America. With them were brought their traditions, beliefs

and customs.

These European settlers created communities in different areas on

the East coast, which became known as colonies. Of course, the people who lived in these colonies

were called colonists.

This is why this period in history is called Colonial America.

When settlers arrived in this New World, some lived in

what is known as Jamestown, Virginia (1607).

They met Native Americans who were already living there.

These colonists learned new ways of living or customs from these Native Americans. They learned how to plant crops like corn

and beans.

One of the customs of Native Americans that influenced early colonists were use of music and

dance.One of the ways Native Americans used song and dance was to

make rain (or so they thought) so their crops would grow.

Since there were no computers, television, or electronic games back in those days, children had to entertain themselves.

They sang songs, danced, and played musical instruments. If there were no

instruments to play, then the songs would be unaccompanied. Of course these songs and instruments came from Europe (“Mulberry

Bush” and “London Bridge”).

As children sang songs and danced (thanks to the Native Americans), they changed the words, the melodies, and the

rhythms a little.

This is why we often have different versions of the same song.

Adults brought their treasures and most cherished possessions with them on the trip to the New World.

Some of their possessions included music instruments.

Instruments brought over from Europe:

Violin

Recorder

Jaw or mouth harp

Harpsichord (if you could get it shipped over)

Piano wasn’t invented until

1771.

Since violin making was popular in Europe, and the violin was a mainstay in European orchestras, it was considered an important

instrument during the colonial period.

The colonists played the violin in different ways and called it a fiddle and it became

very popular among the colonists.

Other instruments that became very popular during this time period (and were handmade) were:

dulcimer

harmonica

Banjo (came from African slaves and we’ll discuss later)

guitar

The settlers brought with them Old World music traditions (theories about the science of sounds and the creation of many different timbres of instruments, which we have already covered).

Composers that were popular in Europe during Colonial American times were Bach (1600s), Mozart (1700s) and Beethoven (1700s -1800s).

Numerous styles of music from the 1500s and 1600s were also brought over to the New World.

Musical elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, form, timbre, tempo, and dynamics which were used by European composers, were incorporated in the New World music.

Even though settlers brought over the styles and elements of music to the New World, European music was rarely performed in the colonies.

One place that European music was performed at was the Governor’s palace in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. Famous Governors from here were Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson.

We are going to study African American influences in American music when we study CULTURAL MUSIC.

To make a long story short:

These slaves sang work songs (later called Spirituals). This singing was a way to ease the burden of the hard labor they did.

Eventually, these work songs integrated with Colonial American songs and would set up what would be America’s contribution to world music (Blues, Jazz, R’n’R, Country,

etc.)

Africans were brought over as slaves to the Americas. Of course, they “carried” with them their culture, beliefs, and music. They brought over their rhythms and instruments with them (of course, they had to make their own instruments again.)

Folk songs and games songs were one of the most popular styles of music in Colonial America. Some of the folk songs were humorous

and sung for entertainment (RECREATIONAL PURPOSE).RECREATIONAL PURPOSE).

Folk songs, in general, are usually songs about everyday life AND are passed down from generation to generation (which eventually

meant that words of the songs changed) .

Most of these folk songs came from England (European influence).

Folk songs of Colonial America were about people’s experiences as well as their hopes. Thus, the songs reflect the time periods.

Some folk songs had non-sense words and syllables which came from the European AND Native American influences (“Deck the

Halls” – an English folksong and “he” and “ho” of the Native American cultures)

Other styles of songs from Colonial America:

Music for worship (church music) and patriotic music (think Revolutionary War; Fife and Drum

Band) (CEREMONIAL PURPOSECEREMONIAL PURPOSE)

Some folk songs, such as ballads and African spirituals (talk about later) were sung to express feelings (ARTISTIC ARTISTIC EXPRESSION PURPOSE).EXPRESSION PURPOSE).

Colonial American music influences came from Europe (musical elements, music of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart), Native Americans (song and dance), and African Slaves (rhythms, banjo, drums).

Instruments of Early America: violin (fiddle), dulcimer, banjo, guitar, harpsichord, jaw harp, harmonica, and recorder

Styles of Music:Folk and Game Songs - usually about everyday life; passed down

from generation to generation

Hymns (Songs for worship)

Patriotic Music (Yankee Doodle)

Formal (classical) – very rarely performed