Essay About Folk Music And Bill Monroes Band

Appalachian Music
Essay Preview: Appalachian Music
Report this essay
Appalachian Music
Appalachee – people on the other side
Folk music – What is folk music?
Traditional songs existing in countries.
Handed down through generations.
Passes on by word of mouth, not written in musical notation.
Dont know who wrote it.
Melody and lyrics change as they are passed on.
Folk Music is History in song:
Tells about daily lives.
Tells about Special events – often tragedies, themes of romance, battle, adventure,
and history.
Purpose of folk music:
Entertainment, recreation, socializing, dancing, games.
Teaching, make work go faster, religious.
Tells a story (ballads).
Origins of Appalachian people:
Ireland
Scotland
England
Music influenced by folk and mountain music:
Country
Bluegrass
Modern folk
Musical instruments used (folk instruments):
Dulcimer, fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, autoharp, mouth bow, washtub bass.
Body percussion, spoons, washboard, Jews harp.
Harmonica, jug.
Bluegrass Music – What is bluegrass music?
Direct descendant of old-time string band tradition, which developed out of
Southern mountain dance music & songs.
Combines old-time string band music with gospel harmonies & blues rhythms.
Played on acoustic instruments (natural sound):
Banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, bass fiddle, dobro (resophonic guitar)
Instrumental leads used to show off technical ability
Distinctive vocal harmonies
Originations of Bluegrass
Bill Monroe – “The father of Bluegrass”
Grew up in Rosine, Kentucky (Ohio County)
Music takes its name from Bill Monroes band, The Blue Grass Boys
Influenced by –
Pendleton Vandiver (“Uncle Pen”) the uncle who “raised” Bill and taught
him how to play the fiddle.
Arnold Schultz, black “blues” singer and guitar player.
Timeline:
1911 – Bill Monroe born on September 13
1940s – development of bluegrass music
1950s – people began referring to his style of music as Bluegrass
1960s – concept of “bluegrass festival” introduced
1996 – Bill Monroe died on September 9
1997 – Bill Monroe inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Because of his influence
on popular music
Bluegrass Music featured in:
Films of “Bonnie and Clyde”, “Deliverance”