In order to fully appreciate the origins (beginnings) and

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Colonial American Music
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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.
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Time
17th, 18th, and 19th centuries (1600s , 1700s
1800s)
Early (Colonial) America
Place
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.

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THE BEGINNING OF COLONIAL AMERICA
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.
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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.
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LIFE IN COLONIAL AMERICA
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.
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INSTRUMENTS OF COLONIAL AMERICA
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
Jaw or mouth harp
Violin
Harpsichord (if you could get it shipped over)
Piano wasnt invented until 1771.
Recorder
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INSTRUMENTS OF COLONIAL AMERICA
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
Banjo (came from African slaves and well discuss
later)
harmonica
guitar
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EUROPEAN INFLUENCES ON COLONIAL MUSIC
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).
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.
Composers that were popular in Europe during
Colonial American times were Bach (1600s), Mozart
(1700s) and Beethoven (1700s -1800s).
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EUROPEAN INFLUENCES ON COLONIAL 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 Governors palace in Colonial
Williamsburg, Virginia. Famous Governors from
here were Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson.
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AFRICAN AMERICAN INFLUENCES ON COLONIAL MUSIC
We are going to study African American influences
in American music when we study CULTURAL MUSIC.
To make a long story short
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.)
Eventually, these work songs integrated with
Colonial American songs and would set up what
would be Americas contribution to world music
(Blues, Jazz, RnR, Country, etc.)
These slaves sang work songs (later called
Spirituals). This singing was a way to ease the
burden of the hard labor they did.
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MUSIC OF COLONIAL AMERICA
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).
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
peoples 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)
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MUSIC OF COLONIAL AMERICA
Other styles of songs from Colonial America
Music for worship (church music) and patriotic
music (think Revolutionary War Fife and Drum
Band) (CEREMONIAL PURPOSE)
Some folk songs, such as ballads and African
spirituals (talk about later) were sung to
express feelings (ARTISTIC EXPRESSION PURPOSE).
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SUMMARY (FOR NOTES)
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 MusicFolk 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