Introduction to World Music; Missouri State University

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Traditional Music of the Ozarks

Introduction to World Music; Missouri State University

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Simplicity and Frugality

Introduction to World Music; Missouri State University

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The Derby Ram (Simplicity)

• Exaggerated Lyrics• Verse/Chorus Structure• Three Versions on Max Hunter site• www.missouristate.edu/folksong/maxhunter• Virginia Hunter and the female folksinger• Compound vs. Simple meter

Introduction to World Music; Missouri State University

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Dinkle Darby (Willis Case)

Introduction to World Music; Missouri State University

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Willis Case Version

• Simplicity and directness in approach• No wasted effort• “Ozark fiddling has always emphasized the hard-

driving, fast reels for dancing……Tunes here have kept….a ‘distinctive mountain sound’ and their melodies are comparatively simple. Moreover, the backup for the violin is relatively simple, ‘loose and rhythmic.’”

From “An Introduction to Traditional Violin Playing in Missouri” Howard Wright Marshall, 1989.

Introduction to World Music; Missouri State University

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The Hound Dog Song (Frugality)

Introduction to World Music; Missouri State University

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• Historic Missouri song (Forsyth, Champ Clark, Aurora)• Pentatonic Scale (Native American, African)• Big Taters in Sandy Land• Variations (from McCann Collection

– 1. Great Big Taters, Lon Jordan, 1941– 2. Sally Ann, Bill Bilyeu, 1943– 3. Sail Away Ladies, Fred Stoneking, 1995– 4. Quit Kicking, Art Galbraith, 1977– 5. Sally Ann, Lonnie Robertson, 1979

• Frugality of the Ozarks people• “If they had to, they could make something out of nothing”---

Minrose Quinn in “The Ozarks--Just That Much Hillbilly in Me”

Introduction to World Music; Missouri State University

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Ozarks Region

Introduction to World Music; Missouri State University

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Play Party Songs

Dancing in disguiseNo instrumentsVance Randolph: Ozark Folk SongsWeev’ly Wheat

Introduction to World Music; Missouri State University

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Introduction to World Music; Missouri State University

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Assignment

Write an essay in which you compare and contrast the

following songs on the Max Hunter Website: Pretty Polly #826 and 542. Include aspects of the music and how it is performed as

well as those of the text.