MuL 13: NORTH AMERICA

Canada and USA

Canada: Cape Breton Fiddling

Originated from Scottish Traditions brought by immigrants that is often performed for dances. It has 3 instruments (fiddle, piano and guitar) and is characterized by:

• fast tempos

• intricate ornamentation

• driving rhythm

America: Ballad Singing

Unaccompanied vocal singing with a focus on storytelling. It is characterized by:

• simple melodies

• plaintive vocals

• focus on narrative lyrics

America: Old Regular Baptist Lined Hymn

Unaccompanied congregational singing that has:

• slow tempos

• modal melodies

• heterophonic texture

• emphasis on spiritual content

America: Shape Note singing

A 4-part harmony vocal music, often accompanied by instruments. It uses shape notes for sight-reading.

America: Bluegrass

A blend of folk, blues, and country music that is characterized by virtuoso instrumental performances

Its instruments are:

• banjo

• fiddle

• guitar

• mandolin

• bass

America: African-American Spiritual

Unaccompanied call-and-response congregational singing that originated from the experiences of enslaved Africans in America. It has improvisatory elements, expressive vocals, and focuses on religious themes

America: African-American Gospel Choir

An energetic and powerful vocal performance that features a lead vocalist and choir.

America: Country Blues

A solo vocal and guitar music characterized by raw emotion and personal storytelling.

America: Nuyorican Salsa

A fusion of Cuban son and other Latin American styles with elements of jazz and American popular music. It is characterized by:

• fast tempos

• complex rhythms

• use of a variety of percussion instruments

• focus on dance and social interaction

America: Cajun Music

A blend of French, African, and American musical influences that has an accordion-driven melody often featuring fiddle and triangle, with lyrics sung in Cajun French.

American: Plains Indian Dance Song

A chant-like with “cascading” melodic contour with striking vocal warbles and steady drum