Study Notes on Music History

Chapter Two Wrap-Up

Current Progress and Future Focus
- Mention of wrapping up Chapter Two.
- Looking forward to starting Chapter Three on Wednesday, with a warning to attend, as significant deviations from the textbook will occur in that lesson.

Introduction to the Basic Concepts of the Music Industry
- Focus will be on:
- Music publishers and their historical roles.
- Record labels and their functions over time.
Key Copyright Concepts
- Types of copyrights:
- Musical Composition (dealt with by music publishers).
- Sound Recordings (dealt with by record labels).
Brief Mention of Phonographs
- Discussion of the rise of phonographs at the end of Chapter Two, leading into the more in-depth look in Chapter Three.

Definition and Concept
- Brass bands seen as the popular music of the era, particularly from the Civil War through the early 1900s.
Growth of Brass Bands
- Post-Civil War, musicians formed brass bands, leading to a significant cultural phenomenon.
- Remarkable stats:
- 9,000 players and 500 bands in the Union Army.
- By late 19th century, more than 10,000 brass bands in the U.S..
Function of Band Shells
- Definition: A performance space designed for outdoor concerts, providing natural acoustic advantages.
- Similar to today's community bands, band shells were used for various performances, but prominently utilized by brass bands.
Cultural Impact
- Played a role in the spread of patriotic music post-Civil War and adapted to various popular music genres.
- Example of the transition to Tin Pan Alley music, suggesting a link to broader developments in American music culture.

Biographical Highlights
- Known as "America's March King" and a prominent bandleader in the late 19th century.
- Musical background stemming from a family involved in music (father: conductor of a marine corps band).
Economic Success
- Contrast to Stephen Foster's fate; Sousa had a successful entrepreneurial approach towards music.
- Income derived mainly from royalties and extensive touring with his band.
Contributions to Copyright and Royalties
- Typed contracts for sheet music royalties became a model for future songwriters.
- Became a significant figure in establishing modern songwriting royalties.
Cultural Influence
- Sousa's influence on patriotic and popular music as seen through performances at world fairs, notably the Chicago Exposition.
Engagement with Sound Recordings
- Involved in early sound recording history (1895-1918), with many notable compositions still heard today.
- Example compositions:
  - "Stars and Stripes Forever" - synonymous with Sousa's brand of American music.
Inventor Attribution
- Often associated with the invention of the sousaphone, a type of marching tuba.

Historical Context
- Defined as the heart of music publishing in the U.S., originating around 1885 in Manhattan (28th Street).
- Characterized by a transition from classical music publishing to popular music composition.
- Faced challenges from smaller publishers focusing on popular songs.
Cultural Importance
- Known for the cacophony of sound due to many composers working simultaneously, likened to the sound of tin pans.
Songwriter Contributions
- Noteworthy composers such as:
- Irving Berlin
- George and Ira Gershwin
- UB Blake
Impact on American Music
- Fueled genres like blues, jazz, and ragtime, emphasizing its role as an incubator for American music culture.
Commercial Success of Sheet Music
- Example: By 1909, the U.S. sheet music sales amounted to $30 million.

Definition and Connection to Minstrelsy
- A variety show format featuring music, comedy, gymnastic acts, etc.
- Transitioned from the minstrel shows, establishing a new entertainment structure.
Impact on Music Publishing
- Vaudeville theaters were prevalent in major cities, boosting the popularity of songs featured in shows.
- 1950's earnings highlighted on song promotion leading to increased sheet music sales.

Importance of Record Labels
- Role of radio in promoting music levels out record sales through outreach but does not generate direct income for labels.
Evolution from Vaudeville to Television Variety Shows
- Examples include Ed Sullivan Show, Carol Burnette Show, and their influence on contemporary performance formats.

Charles Harris
- A commercially successful Tin Pan Alley writer known for “After the Ball”, and the first comprehensive songwriting guide writer in 1906.
Influence on Songwriting Structures
- Established modern songwriting conventions still applicable today:
- Verse/Chorus structure
- Strophic forms (evolving into modern standards).

Technological Advancements
- Invention of the phonograph by Thomas Edison in 1877; initial sound reproduction through wax cylinders.
- Transition to the gramophone developed by Emile Berliner, enhancing ease of storage and production.
Cultural and Market Changes
- Phonographs transformed music listening from live performances to recorded experiences, allowing for national reach.
- Problems emerged with criticisms regarding the disconnect it created between performer and listener, though it expanded access to music dramatically.

Description of Nickelodeons
- Early form of the jukebox, allowing patrons to play music with a nickel, fostering accessibility to music.
Record Labels Emergence
- Columbia Records and Victor Talking Machine Company (RCA) arose, becoming key players in the market.

Overall Significance
- Chapter noted the transformation from sheet music dominance to recording and commercial sales, affecting the music industry's trajectory.