Appalachian Music and Culture

By Caroline DaniellMUS 1234

How to Define Appalachian Music

The Region of the Appalachian Mountains include: Georgia

Tennessee

South Carolina

North Carolina

Kentucky

West Virginia

Virginia

Pennsylvania

Parts of Ohio and Maryland

(underlined = region of focus of this ppt) http://www.geology.iupui.edu/Research/BioMineralLab/Ocoee/overview.html

How to Define Appalachian Music

Influences included: Celtic ballads Anglo-Saxon African American Music Gospel

Fun Fact!

The formation of the Appalachian Mountains appealed to poorer people looking for cheaper, unwanted land such as the accordion-like steep ridges, full of foliage entanglements like mountain laurel, and therefore difficult to transverse, alongside valleys and 'hollers' full of generally agriculturally

useless soil.

History of Appalachian Culture and Music

Immigrants from England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and Wales attempted to recreate the instruments of their homelands. Some exact copies, some approximations.Difficult terrain kept inhabitants somewhat isolated which kept music and culture highly preserved for many generations.Cumberland gap discovered in 1750 that led to fertile Kentucky bluegrass country enabling music and culture to also flourish.

History of Appalachian Culture and Music Cont'd

Two Periods Traditional Music- Early 18th century-

1900,Ballads and Dance, from Anglo-Celtic Immigrants, today's version known as Bluegrass

“Old Time Music”- 1900-1930, blends of traditional with parlour and vaudeville, African-American styles, and Minstrel Show tunes

Traditional Music

Based on Anglo-Celtic folk ballads and instrumental dance tunes

Many times sung unaccompanied Tonal, nasal quality, like the accents of these

regions also do Celtic variations to reflect American locations,

contexts, and occupations with American Christian influence

Bluegrass versus Old Time Music

OT songs are about whiskey and food.

BG songs are about God, mother and the girl who did me wrong.

If the girlfriend isn’t murdered by the third verse, it ain’t Bluegrass

OT bands have nonsense names like “Hoss Hair Pullers” “Fruit Jar Drinkers” and “Skillet Lickers”. BG bands have serious gender-specific name like “Bluegrass Boys,” “Foggy Mountain Boys,” and “Clinch Mountain Boys”

http://bluegrasswest.com/wordpress

Bluegrass Versus Old Time Music Cont'd

The most common OT keys are major and modal (i.e. minor). BG uses major, mixolydian, Dorian and minor keys

A BG band has between 1 and 3 singers who are singing about an octave above their natural vocal range. Some OT bands have no singers at all.

A BG band has a vocal orchestrator who arranges duet, trio and quartet harmonies.

In an OT band, anyone who feels like it can sing or make comments during the performance.

All BG tunes & songs last 3 minutes. OT tunes & songs sometimes last all night.

Legends of Appalachian Music

Bill Monroe Father of Bluegrass-invented the style and

name Formed the Blue Grass Boys in 1940's Bluegrass Hall of Honor and received a

Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the National Medal of the Arts

Check out an awesome tune by Bill and the Blue Grass Boys! Blue Moon of Kentucky

Legends of Appalachian MusicThe Carter Family

Recorded over 300 old-time ballads, traditional tunes, country songs, and gospel hymns

Original members were Mother Maybelle Addington Carter(guitar and sang harmony), Sara Dougherty(dulcimer, alto lead) Alviln Pleasant(A.P.) Carter(fiddle and sang bass)

Originated in mountains of Virginia and eventually landed in the Grand Ole Opry in Knoxville, Tennessee

My Favorite Carter Family Tune: Will the Circle be Unbroken

Legends of Appalachian Music

Ralph Stanley Born in Stratton, VA Banjo player,

clawhammer style Formed Stanley Brothers

with his brother Carter Focused on Gospel-like until

Carter's death in 1966, thenRalph sang grieving and haunting melodies such as Man of Constant Sorrow

http://www.last.fm/music/Ralph+Stanley

Legends of Appalachian MusicEarl Scruggs Born into a very musical

family in North Carolina Played unique style

of Banjo, with 3 fingers,since age 10

Invited to play in BlueGrass Boys with Bill Monroe and on the Grand Ole Opry

Joined with Lester Flatts to form Foggy Mountain Boys

Recently passed away March 28, 2012

Instruments used in Appalachian Music

Guitar Mandolin *Notice limited percussion

instruments*

Fiddle Banjo Dulcimer Spoons Bass

Guitar

Often primary instrument Sets melody of song Single or Multiple used Strummed and Picked Body sometimes used

as percussion or 'count in'

Fiddle

AKA Violin in classical music Bowed and

sometimes Plucked 4 or 5 Strings

Dulcimer Also known as: Appalachian dulcimer, lap

dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, dulcimore, dulcymore, harmony, harmonium, and hog fiddle

Played on lap Multiple variations Strummed and

picked

Banjo

Essentially a crossbetween a snare drumand a guitar

6 strings High tones Unique three finger

picking style

My Uncle!

Spoons and Household Instruments

Spoons-played between hands and thigh Washboard-strummed Jug- blown like

a flute Percussion sources

Mandolin

Smaller, 12 string instrument Played high on chest Higher tones Unique Picking style

Bass

Standing Bass used in Appalachian music Plucked, not Bowed Sets back beat

instead of percussion

Dancing Styles to Appalachian Music

Based on Celtic dancing styles Follow the music A form of percussion for the music

Clogging Flatfooting Buckdancing Square dancing

Clogging Based on Celtic dancing Clogging is a rhythmic, percussive dancing

style that goes with Appalachian music. Can be done individually or in a group or square dance (as seen in video below). The dancers respond the the caller as he announces the next moves. Clogging

Flatfooting

One of the styles of dance that involves a lot of irregular steps and shuffle with no hopping or springing found in clogging

Check out this example! Flat Footing

Why did I chose Appalachian Music?

This type of music was the music of my homeland and ancestors. My family is from the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. I grew up listening and participating in Bluegrass Jam sessions with my father and Uncle and their band, attending festivals. I even got a chance to meet Ralph Stanley!This music is near and dear to my heart.

I hope you have enjoyed the history and experience of Appalachian Music, both Bluegrass and Old Time.

Caroline Daniell

References http://appalachianculturalmusic.org/

http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/appalach.htm

http://www.arministry.org/AppalachianCulturePP.pdf

http://www.blueridgeheritage.com/heritage/music

http://www.museumofappalachia.org/Mountain_Music_at_the_Museum_of_Appalachia.htm

http://www.leecagledulcimers.com/id62.html

http://bluegrasswest.com/wordpress/?p=56

http://www.southernmusic.net/carterfamily.htm

References Cont'd

http://www.biography.com/people/earl-scruggs-20638979

http://www.billmonroe.com/ http://www.oldtimeherald.org/archive/back_iss

ues/volume-6/6-8/dance.html