The objectives of lesson one are:
· To understand the ancestors who inhabited the land before the arrival of the Europeans.
· To be able to use the internet to deepen your understanding of the music.
· To understand what makes a folk song.
Introduction
1 North American Indian Music
The chapter emphasizes the variety of musics produced by the many North American
Indian cultures and the essential role music?intimately associated with dance,
celebration, games, work, or prayer?plays in their lives. Songs may be
accompanied by sound instruments, some of which are described. The repetition of
musical phrases is compared with the repetition of geometric designs in basketry
and weaving. The chapter concludes with references to contemporary developments
among Native American musicians, including those reflecting Western classical
and/or popular traditions.
Listening Examples: Listen to the recordings on the CD. Visit the
Library of Native American Songs;
Songs of the Blackfeet;
and Canyon Records.
Know the Yeibichai Chant Song and Sioux Grass Dance song from your recordings.
2 Folk Music
British and African sources have profoundly affected American folk music. This chapter describes traditional British folk ballads and broadsides and American ballads based on them. African work songs and traditional African performance customs also are considered. One popular folk song is Barbara Allen. An important source for folks songs of the British Empire would be the Broadside Ballads. Visit this site and learn more. Listen to Barbara Allen
The term "folk music" was invented by nineteenth-century scholars to describe the music of peasantry, age-old and anonymous. Nowadays it covers such a multitude of sins as to be almost meaningless. To me it means homemade-type music played mainly by ear, arising out of older traditions but with a meaning for today. I use it only for lack of a better word. Similarly, I have had to accept the label "folksinger," although "a professional singer of amateur music" would be more accurate in my own case. (Pete Seeger, 1972, p. 5 at the following link)
In Scarlet town where I was born
there was a fair maid dwellin'
made every youth cry a well a day
her name was Barbara Allen
'Twas in the merry month of May
when green buds they were swellin'
young Denny Grove on his death bed lay
for want of Barbara Allen
He sent his man down to the town
to the place where she was dwellin'
he said me master's sick he bids me call for you
if you be Barbara Allen
So slowly slowly she got up
and slowly she went nigh him
and all she said when there she got
was I think you're dyin'
Do you remember the other night
you're at the public house drinkin'
you toasted healths to all the girls
except for Barbara Allen
He turned his head then toward the wall
and death was near him drawin'
adieu' my friends for I must die
for slighting Barbara Allen
Then later as she walked o'er the moors
she saw his corpse train comin'
lay down lay down his corpse she said
that I might gaze upon him
And the more she looked the more she wept
until she burst out laughin''
and all his friends who were by her said
hard hearted Barbara Allen
Oh mother go and make my bed
and make it long and make it narrow
for my true love has for me died today
and I must die tomorrow
they buried Barbara in the old churchyard
and they buried Denny beside her
and from his grave grew a red red rose
and out of hers a briar
and they grew and grew at the old churchyard
till they could grow on no higher
and at the top they ties a true lovers knot
the red rose and the briar
Assignment:
Look on the internet and find at least two other versions of Barbara Allen. Post the lyrics in the discussion area.
3 The Colonial, Revolutionary, and Federal Periods
Music was an important part of the religious training of American Indians by zealous French and Spanish missionaries. Of more far-reaching and long-lasting influence on the early American experience, however, was the music of Protestant settlers, especially the Pilgrims and Puritans. The singing school movement produced the first American composers, who wrote much of their own teaching materials. The Mennonites and Moravians also profoundly affected the music of America. Visit a site with an explanation of the Bay Psalm Book.
Music to accompany work, entertainment, or dancing became important early in the eighteenth century, and music publishing became an important business. Concert music and musical theater performances drew enthusiastic audiences in several American cities. Another great website with more information. Visit the Colonial Music Institute.
Soldier, Soldier will you carry me
Free America
Louis Bourgeois: ?Old Hundred Music, Old Hundred Score
William Billings: ?Chester?
William Billings: ?When Jesus Wept? Tune and More
Daniel Read: ?Sherburne? Listen to more examples on this great choral site.
Read pages first three chapters in the book at this time.
The discussion questions for Lesson One are:
As a child, did you learn folk tunes traditional to your culture? Do you teach, or plan to teach, folk music to your children?
What position did eighteenth-century American intellectuals believe music and art rightfully held in American life? Do you agree with them or disagree? Why?
Post the different versions of Barbara Allen.
Everyone contribute. Go to the discussion area.
Take the quiz. There was a delay on quiz one. I do not count the grade for quiz one, it is a practice quiz so you can learn how to take them. Quiz one is ready now. I will be caught up next time.
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