American Popular Music Exam 1

HON 162

What is the European stream?

It is the European influence on American music. This includes strophic ballads, storytelling, waltzes, polkas, contras. Popular music from this stream includes “Barbara Allen.”

What is the African American Stream?

It is the African American influence on American music. This includes work songs, lullabies, spirituals, polyrhythms, syncopation, and improvisation.

What is the Latin American stream?

It is the Latin American influence on American music. This includes the contradanza, habanera, the tango, the rumba, and the mambo.

What is the 12-bar blues?

It is 4 beats in 3 bars, the first in the I chord, the second in the IV I I I chord, and the third following the V VI I I chord progression. Strophic in nature. Ex. “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley

What is song form?

It follows an A-A-B-A form, with two 8-bar phrases, a contrasting 8-bar phrase, and a final A 8 bar-bar phrase. Ex. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”

What is simple verse form?

Aka strophic form. It follows an A-A-A form. Ex. Elvis Presley “Heartbreak Hotel.”

What is verse-chorus?

It is the most popular song form. The verses tell the story while the chorus contains the hook. The simple version does not change the instrumentals between the verses and chorus, while the contrasting version does. Ex. include Outksat’s “Hey Ya!” and Bad Company’s “Can’t Get Enough.”

What is a riff?

A repeated pattern designed to generate rhythmic momentum. Ex. “Beat It” - Michael Jackson

What is a groove?

It evokes the channeled flow of the rhythmic pulse. Ex. “Brick House” - The Commodores

What is timbre?

The quality of sound, the sound print of a performer’s voice. Ex. “Someone Like You” - Adele

What is dialect?

The musical genres that are strongly associated with a particular form of a language to a specific region or social group.

What are music centers?

New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Nashville

What are musical peripheries?

Miami, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Austin, Portland

What is a minstrel show?

One of the first distinctly American forms of entertainment. Primarily performed by white actors using black face. Parodied African American music, dance, clothing, speech, and cultural traditions. Relied on racist stereotypes. Helped introduce African American musical elements into mainstream American popular culture.

Who is Thomas Dartmouth Rice?

He was a white actor who created the Jim Crow character. Jim crow used a hybrid dialect, was a southern slave, and did the cakewalk.

What is the cake walk?

It was a dance developed by slaves, as a parody of the “refined” dances of white slave owners. Exemplified syncopation.

Who was George Washington Dixon?

He was the first white performer to establish a reputation as a blackface entertainer. Made the Zip C**n character.

Who was Stephen Foster?

He was the most influential songwriter of American popular song during the 19th century. He composed around 200 songs. He was the first person in the United states to make his living as a full-time professional songwriter. He wrote songs for both minstrel shows and everyday people. He popularized piano playing in the household.

What is a plantation song?

They were songs performed at minstrel shows and large audiences. They are about southern scenery. Examples include “Oh, Susanna” and “My Old Kentucky Home.”

What is a parlor song?

They are songs performed in small settings usually about love. Examples include “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair” and “Beautiful Dreamer.”

What was a grand ball?

It was an aristocratic occasion based on traditions of European royalty. Rough-and-ready miners’ balls and slave balls are variations on the traditional ball.

What is a brass band?

They were one of the most important musical aspects of American life after the Civil War. They promoted patriotism, popular culture, and American nationalism.

What is a patriotic march?

They were symbols of national unity and used to foster political support.

Who was John Philip Sousa?

He was the most popular bandleader, aka “The March King.” He conducted the U.S. Marine Band and formed a commercial concert band.

What is Tin Pan Alley?

It was a music publishing center in New York City. They were about creating and selling music that people bought.

What are the characteristics of Tin Pan Alley songs?

The lyrics are about peaceful, happy, prosperous places — an escape from everyday life. The music was simple and easy melodies.

Who was Paul Dresser?

He was one of the most popular and successful composers in the early Tin Pan Alley period. He wrote sentimental and nostalgic songs. His most popular songs include, “The Letter That Never Came” and “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away.”

Who was Harry Von Tilzer?

He was one of the most successful American songwriters in the later 19th and early 20th centuries. He was called the “Daddy of Popular Song.” He wrote sentimental, catchy, and memorable songs. He focused on love, family, nostalgia, and everyday emotions. He represents the commercial peak of the nineteenth century parlor song tradition. His most popular songs include, “A Bird in a Gilded Cage” and “I Want a Girl (Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad)”

Who was James A. Bland?

He was one of the first successful African American professional songwriters. He wrote ~700 songs. His songs had catchy melodies, sentimental themes, African American musical influences, and the conventions of popular entertainment. His most popular songs included “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny” and “Oh, Dem Golden Slippers.”

Who was Charles K. Harris?

He wrote one of the first mega-hits in American popular music, “After the Ball.” This song sold 5 million copies of sheet music.

What was Vaudeville?

It was one of the most important forms of popular entertainment during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It developed from music hall, variety, and minstrel-show traditions. They were a series of individual acts presented one after another. These acts included: singers, dancers, comedians, acrobats, magicians, animal acts. This is how Tin Pan Alley songs were spread throughout the country.

What was ragtime?

It was one of the first popular musical styles to emerge from African American musical traditions. It combines African American folk music, dance music, banjo traditions, marches, and European musical forms. Syncopation is central to the lively rhythmic feeling.

Where did Ragtime originate from?

African American dance halls along the Mississippi river in St. Louis.

What are the musical characteristics of ragtime?

Syncopated melodies, “oom-pah” bass pattern, influenced by march music.

Who was Scott Joplin?

He was the King of Ragtime. He was an African American composer who wrote “Maple Leaf Rag,” “The Entertainer", and “The Easy Winners.” He popularized player pianos that would play the music for the audience.

Who was Jelly Roll Morton?

He was a New Orleans pianist who called himself the “Inventor of Jazz.” He added improvisation, complex rhythms, and blues elements to ragtime.

Why was the phonograph important?

It transformed music from something that was performed live to something that could be recorded, purchased, and replayed.

Why are electric microphones important?

They lead to the intimate, gentle singing styles of crooners.

Why are sound films important?

The Jazz Singer was the first film to exploit sound successfully. Grossed $3 million

What is ASCAP

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers was founded to protect the rights of songwriters and publishers. They collected royalties when songs were played.

What is improvisation?

It is when musicians make musical decisions on the spot, changing melodies, rhythms, and arragements.

Who were Vernon and Irene Castle?

They were dance superstars in the 1910’s. They simplified dancing for the average American and opened schools.

Who was James Reese Europe?

He was an important African American bandleader, composer, and musical director connected to the Castles.

What was jazz?

It was a musical genre that emerged in New Orleans, developed from African American musical traditions, ragtime, blues, syncopation, and improvisation.

Who were the Original Dixieland Jazz Band?

They were the first jazz band to be recorded. All white band that falsely claimed to invent jazz. They use collective improvisation and stoptime. Notable songs include “Tiger Rag”

What is stoptime?

The rhythm section stops playing, and one instrument improvises.

Who was King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band?

They were one of the earliest recorded African American jazz bands. Featured Louis Armstrong. Notable songs include “Dipper Blues”

Who was Louis Armstrong?

The best known Black musician in the world by the 1930’s. Played in King Oliver’s band. Notably songs include, “West End Blues.”

Who were Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake?

They were important African American musicians, composers, and performers. Created the first successful all-Black Broadway musical. Notable songs include: “I’m Wild About Harry.”

Who was Duke Ellington?

He was one of the most important American musicians in the 20th century. He wrote jungle music that was dark, growling jazz. He turned jazz into a serious musical ensemble. Notable Songs include: “Black and Tan Fantasy” and “Jungle Nights in Harlem.”

What is a hot band?

They played syncopated jazz arrangements and emphasized improvisation. They were popular with college students and young people. Ex. Bix Beiderbecke “Ostrich Walk”

What is a sweet band?

They were jazz bands that played romantic, sentimental music. They were popular with older audiences and featured a string selection. Ex. Paul Whiteman “It’s Only a Paper Moon.”

What is a Latin band?

They are jazz bands that have a Latin influence with distinctive percussion instruments. They were important when it came to social dancing and tango.

Who was Paul Whiteman?

He was the most popular musician for decades. Dubbed the “King of Jazz.” Performed “safe,” sweet band jazz. Notable songs include: “Whispering” and “The Japanese Sandman”

Who was Don Azpiazu?

He was a popular Latin jazz band leader. Notable songs include: “The Peanut Vendor’

Who is Irving Berlin?

He was a professional songwriter and wrote songs for Broadway. Notable songs include: “White Christmas,” “God Bless America,” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”

Who was George Gershwin?

A widely known American composer. Incorporated African American music styles and blues. Notable songs include: “Rhapsody in Blue” and "Porgy and Bess”

Who was Cole Porter?

Wrote songs for Broadway and films. Notable songs include: “I Get A Kick Out Of You” and “You’re The Top”

Who was George Michael Cohan?

Songwriter, wrote a lot of patriotic songs. Notable songs include: “Over there” “Give My Regards to Broadway” “You’re a Grand Old Flag”

Who is Hoagy Carmichael?

One of the most successful Tin Pan Alley songwriters of the 1930’s. Notable songs include: “Stardust” “Georgia on My Mind” “Heart and Soul”

Who was Jerome Kern?

Songwriter of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” “The way you look tonight” and “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man”

Who was Al Jolson?

Star of The Jazz Singer. “The World’s Greatest Entertainer”

Who was Ethel Merman?

“The Undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage.” Starred in Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy, and Hello, Dolly!

Who was Fred Astaire?

Popular dancer, singer, actor. Partnered with Ginger Rogers. “Shall We Dance” and “The Way you Look Tonight”

Who was Bing Crosby?

Actor and singer. “White Christmas,” “When Irish Eyes are Smiling"," “Pennies From Heaven”

What are race records?

They are recordings by African Americans for African American audiences. They include classic blues and delta blues.

What is hillbilly music?

It is music by southern whites for southern whites. Includes country western music.

Who is W.C. Handy?

He is the “Father of Blues". He combined blues with ragtime and dance music, making it more accessible. “Memphis Blues” and “St. Louis Blues”

Who was Mamie Smith?

African American blues performer. “Crazy Blues”

Who was Alberta Hunter?

African American blues performer. “Down Hearted Blues”

Who was Ethel Waters?

African American blues performer. “St. Louis Blues” “Stormy Weather.” One of the highest paid Broadway performers, equal pay with white actors. Received her own TV show and performed in movies.

Who was Ma Rainey?

“Mother of Blues.” “Bo-Weevil Blues” “Black Bottom” Powerful, full throated, growling voice. Influenced Bessie Smith

Who was Bessie Smith?

“Empress of Blues.” “Down Hearted Blues” “Gulf Coast Blues” Powerful yet intimate voice. Represents the height of classic blues.

What is delta blues?

It is blues made by poor southern African Americans. Features a solo guitarist and vocalist.

Who is Charley Patton?

Pioneer of the delta blues. “Tom Rushen Blues”

Who was Blind Lemon Jefferson?

“Father of Texas Blues.” hard to imitate singing and guitar playing style. “That Black Snake Moan”

Who was Robert Johnson?

Infamous delta blues singer. Started the 27 club. Allegedly sold his soul to the Devil to be the best guitar player. “Cross Road Blues” “Me and the Devil Blues”

What was Black Southern Gospel music?

It is the response to the secular blues. Has strong rhythms, improvisation, a capella singing.

Who was the Golden Gate Quartet?

Most famous African American gospel quartet. Had a tight four-part harmony, a capella singing. “John the Revelator” “Gospel Train”

Who was Vernon Dalhart?

First hillbilly singer, combined country music with tin pan alley music. “The Prisoner’s Song” “The Wreck of the Old 97”

Who was Jimmie Rogers?

“The Singing Brakeman” yodeled and popularized the traveling image of country music. “The Blue Yodels”

What is White Southern Gospel?

The inverse of secular country music.

Who were the Carter Family?

Popular white southern gospel band. Sung existing songs and copyrighted them. “Can the Circle Be Unbroken” “Keep on the Sunny Side of Life”

Who was Woody Guthrie?

Protest singer with distinctly political lyrics. “This Land is Your Land” “I Ain’t Got No Home” “Pastures of Plenty” “House of the Rising Sun”