Music 's Influence On America

Looking back at the history of Blues music, one can see the influence of the African-American community, tradition, and culture very apparent in it. The Blues music genre came into being from the songs

African American influence in music has been an ever present and controversial subject in American history. Stemming from many different cultures, religions and backgrounds, large portions of American music was introduced by, and credited to African Americans. Although in many cases, this music was used for entertainment by the masses or majority, contrary to popular belief, black music served a greater purpose than just recreation. Dating all the way back to the beginning of slavery in the U.S. during the 17th century, music has been used to make a statement and send a message. As African American music progressed over the years, there were common themes expressed as the genres evolved. It has been an open letter to the world, documenting and protesting the ongoing oppression faced by blacks in the United States, as well as an outlet for frustration. For many African Americans, the music gave them the only voice that couldn’t be silenced by their oppressors.

The birth of jazz music is often credited to African Americans, though it didn’t take long to expanded to America's white middle class. Jazz, therefore, was characterised by a meshing of African American traditions and ideals with white middle class societies. Big cities like New York and Chicago were

The cultural cultural climate of the city certainly started the movement, but it evolved into something altogether which will see. The demographics of New Orleans was the main contributor to the creation of jazz. The socializing of Creoles, the lower-class black populations, and their dealings with white musicians from all over the country was the perfect storm for a new style of music to emerge. The blossoming jazz style of New Orleans was embodied by the cornetist Buddy Bolden, the first known musician to play jazz on a woodwind instrument. The African-Americans who were not Creole played boisterous, beat-based tunes founded on rags, folk music, and marches. New Orleans jazz now had a style all its own, with each instrument having its place and style for improvisation, especially for the woodwind

The roots of modern american rock and roll music, are firmly planted in Africa. As the native Africans were torn apart from their family’s and brought to the new world their lives were immediately and drastically changed forever. Finding themselves immersed in a completely new environment with a foreign culture, they thankfully persevered and carried on with their own traditions and most importantly to this paper, musical ones. Most American slaves originated from Western and Central Africa. The West Africans carried a musical tradition rich with long melody lines, complicated rhythms (poly rhythmics) and stringed instruments CITATION. The West Africans music was also strongly integrated into their everyday lives. Songs were preformed for religious ceremonies and dances and music was often a

African American people have had it rough for years. But over time, they have influenced us beyond belief. One of the main things they influenced was music. So I am here to explain to you how the African American culture has done just that!

New Orleans was the beginning to all American music. In New Orleans many mixed races lived side by side in close quarters. This made it so that everyone could play music. Although New Orleans was center of slave trade, many blacks had the freedom to play music and sing and dance at points. On every Sunday, slaves were allowed to to Congo Square and play music. They played many different types of music including complex African

African Americans contributed highly in the music genre rock-and-roll, which is something people don’t really discuss. Rock and roll was highly influenced by the Blues, from rhythm and instruments. One African-American Blues singer, Muddy Waters was one Blues singer that influenced rock and roll, he changed the sound of his music which gave it a rock and roll sound as we know it today. Many believe Elvis was the first to sing Rock and Roll but Joe Turner’s song “Shake, rattle and Roll” (1951) sounds much like rock and roll and not Blues. This is ignored by many because of the racism in society, especially at that time. Many Black artists were not acknowledge even after they passed away and white male artists were

On the other hand, Blues were basically from work songs of African Americans slaves at the time. “It is a native American music, the product of the black man in this country, or, to put it more exactly the way I have come to think about it, blues could not exist if the African captives had not become American captives”(pp.17), said Jones and Baraka. In Jazz – A History, Frank Tirro wisely analyzes and explains the relationship between the unique background and

American Music is a melting pot of different cultures, emotions, experiences, and therefore genres. It is incredible to see how as music evolves and changes with the time, so does The United States. We are a mixed bag as a country, accepting all different cultures and backgrounds. This has led to many breakthroughs and innovations in music throughout history. We are all influenced by our experiences in life and this is no different in the evolution of music in American History. The Blues was created from African American Slave songs, with lyrics that narrate the hardships of the human experience at the time. These rhythms and forms carried over and eventually created what is now Rock and Roll. Over the next five weeks, we will explore and discover five key genres and artists who are known to specialize in that genre as a way to reconnect with our history and explore the possibilities for innovation in music in the future.

Jazz music was born from the creative hands of black people who experienced oppression and slavery in America in the late 18th century. Expression of a resistance against the racist and oppressive political system was manifested in the way of black Americans to play their music. History has recorded that slavery and racial discrimination in America gave birth precisely to the music of resistance, such as the Spiritual, gospel and blues. This phenomenon could be interpreted as a cultural resistance of black people to Westernization, in terms of religion, culture, politics, and how to make music.

Scholars have discussed a lot how the African music, and particularly its rhythmic patterns, directly exported from Africa or made known to the world through the African diaspora, has influenced modern music worldwide. The influence of African American music on American music in general is well known (Gioia 5-6). But African American music has survived, evolved, and succeeded in influencing American music in general because it plays a central role in the lives of African Americans. Music lies in the chore of all the major aspects of the lives of the black slaves in the US. Most importantly, in slavery time and after, music has always served as one of the major sustaining forces that helped African Americans cope with their condition.

Throughout its history, music has permeated the significant events of American history. Its effect on American society and the way the American people cope with each event has only grown as popular music evolves and new genres reach more and more individuals. People can remember where they were and their exact surroundings to amazing detail when asked about life-changing events in history. Older generations will remember the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Their children will remember when Kennedy was assassinated and when man walked on the moon. Their grandchildren will remember much of the turmoil of the ‘70s and ‘80s and their great grandchildren grew up in the world impacted by the events of September 11, 2001. Even one’s surroundings during the start or end of a relationship or personal events such as graduation, getting a driver’s license, or getting married can all be paired with the music that was popular at the time.

In a time where the world was recovering after its second world war, a great quantity of interesting events were taking place. The nineteen fifties was a flourishing time for our economy, since the U.S. was a world power. Accordingly, there was room for innovation in science, especially in the medical field. Also, mass leisure was common amongst the world, especially in the United States. This made music become a major influence in teenagers. Prior to the end of World War 2 in the previous decade, there was a lot going on in politics, and it was a very active time for the government, especially in a war such as the Cold War. This led to many movements, such as the Feminist and Civil Rights movements. Harry Truman was also the president that

The origins of jazz music and dance are found in the rhythms and movements brought to America by African slaves. The style of African dance is earthy; low, knees bent, pulsating body movements emphasized by body isolations and hand-clapping. As slaves forced into America, starting during the 1600’s, Africans from many cultures were cut off from their families, languages and