Music Appreciation

Western Music

a form of American folk music composed by and about people who settled and worked throughout the western United States and Canada. Directly related musically to old English, Scottish and Irish Folk Ballads, celebrates the life of the cowboy on the open ranges and prairies.

The Blue Juniata

The first published Western song, published in 1844.

Stephen Foster

“Father of American Music” was primarily known for parlor and minstrel music

Ragtime

a piano genre of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by syncopated rhythms or “ragged” time

Scott Joplin

“King of Ragtime”

Congo Square

a large square in New Orleans where slaves gathered to sing, dance and play music.

Creole

a person with Negro, and French and Spanish ancestry

Call and Response Pattern

a musical pattern common to much jazz and African music in which a “call”, usually by a solo singer or instrumentalist, is followed by a “response” from one instrument, ensemble or assembled participants

Field Hollers

a secret means of communication between slaves while they worked in the fields; sometimes called “field cries”

Quadrille

a square dance of five figures that was popular in the 19th century

Speakeasy

a secret nightclub in the 1920s

Spiritual

a name given to a type of religious folk song of African Americans usually of solo-and-refrain design

Storyville

Red light district of New Orleans which figured in the origin of jazz

Syncopation

to accent a normally weak beat or weak part of a beat

Tin Pan Alley

Refers to the industry centered in New York that published popular music

KVOO

Voice of Oklahoma

Charles “Buddy” Bolden

figured prominently in the early development of jazz. Known for complex and creative improvisation, invented the “Big Four” rhythm in which beat 4 is accented.

Joe “King” Oliver

American jazz cornet player noted for his use of mutes. Took Dixieland jazz to Chicago in 1918 and mentored Louis Armstrong

New Orleans Dixieland Jazz

characterized by trumpet/cornet, clarinet, trombone, tuba, banjo, and bass drum

Chicago Dixieland Jazz

Characterized by trumpet/ cornet, clarinet, trombone, string bass, piano, and bass drum

Louis Armstrong

Considered to be the most influential jazz musician and singer in history

Swing Era

Big Bands replaced the smaller Dixieland bands. Formal music arrangements replaced the group improvisational style. Solos became less pronounced

Bebop Era

A style of jazz characterized by fast tempos and complex chord progressions.

Charlie Parker

was an alto saxophone player and a pioneer of Bebop, known for his incredible improvisational skill.

Dizzy Gillespie

trumpet player and pioneer of Bebop, known for his improvisational skill and experimentation with foreign rhythms and harmonies.

Miles Davis

trumpet player and pioneer of Bebop, as well as the cool jazz movement and modal jazz

Boogie Woogie

a blues piano style in which the bass line consists 8th notes per bar outlining the chord progression, which became the foundation of rock and roll.

Chuck Berry

pioneer of rock and roll, his recording of “Maybellene” is considered by many to be the first example of rock and roll guitar

Albert James “Alan” Freed

Cleveland D.J. who in 1951 became the first to broadcast “Rock and Roll” on WJW 850 AM

Buddy Holly

Pioneer of Rock and Roll. Standardized the use of lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, and drums. Influenced Lennon and McCartney.

Little Richard

Pioneer of rock and roll, as well as playing a key role in the formation of other genres such as soul and funk.

The Beatles

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr are considered to be the most influential band in rock history. Recorded the first “concept album”

The Beach Boys

Pioneered the “California Sound,” led by Brian Wilson and considered the Beatles’ biggest rival also pioneered various recording techniques. Inspired heavily by The Four Freshmen. (Charles Manson)

Elvis Aaron Presley

“The King of Rock and Roll” single most influential performer of rock and roll and a cultural icon.

Don Richardson

1st country music recording, 1914 “Arkansas Travler”

Grand Ole Opry

a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville that showcases both established and up-and-coming country artists.

Hiram King “Hank” Williams

Regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century. Pioneered the “Honky Tonk” sound.

Vernon Dalhart

“Wreck of the Old 97” 1st nationwide music hit

Jimmie Rodgers

The first country music star. Known for “Blue Yodel”

Gene Autry, Roy Rogers

singing cowboys who popularized western music through film and television

Kitty Wells

the first major female country star. A pioneer of the “Honky Tonk” sound

Les Paul

great musician in his own right. Pioneered many recording techniques still in use today such as overbudding and multi-tracking

Patsy Cline

a highly influential female country singer

Outlaw Country

The movement in country music during the early 1970s, pioneered by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, was a reaction to the highly produced recordings coming out of Nashville. Sought to return to a more raw quality sound

Bill Monroe

Known as the “Father of Bluegrass” three finger plucking style that gives bluegrass music its characteristic sound

James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix

greates instrumentalist in the history of all rock music. Expanded the range and vocabulary of the electric guitar.

“Lightning” Leon McAullife

steel guitar player for Bob Willis and the Texas Playboys

Eldon Shanblim

Rhythm guitar player and arranger for Bob Willis and the Texas Playboys

Larry Filkins

Big Band singer for Bunny Berrigan