The Evolution of Music Culture

Jazz initially began in the south among African American. It wasn’t till the 1920s when it began to become famous. Many of the whites at that time referred to the music as “nigger music”. Jazz was part of the black culture. During the migration era when the blacks began to move up north, jazz was mixed with the white culture. It was in that time when

Jazz has always been a part of the American tradition. Some may say they like Jazz for its rhythmic twist and turns. Others may love the soothing melodies from an improved Trumpet solo. All in all, Jazz has been an American staple and has molded today’s popular music, into what it is today. It’s very different from classical music, which is written out and strict. Jazz is much more. It’s made up of spontaneity and improvisation, which makes up an idea on the spot. There are many wide varieties in Jazz. There is Bebop Jazz, Avante Garde Jazz, Acid Jazz, Free Funk Jazz, Soul Jazz, Swing Jazz, and many, many more! These forms of Jazz can be seen and heard in some of your favorite music of Today. It’s been widely used by the world. There is an important reason as to why this genre contributes to the growing of music. We first take a look into the root of all Jazz. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the country of Africa was the first known country to use rhythm primarily for the element of musical expression, and ensembles composed entirely of percussion instruments created extended polyrhythmic works. These polyrhythms, which means the “layering of multiple rhythms.”, were record in Western music. African music did not use paper, or sheet music. Instead, they relied on Aural rituals, learned by ear and also used” spontaneity, which is later said to be known as improvisation”. In Africa, most of the music that was expressed was for religious

During the 18th century, music was used as a social enhancement on the rising middle class who showed interest in intellectual ideals of Enlightenment. The rising middle class were people who would come between the working class and the upper class. Such as craftsman, bankers, and merchants. These select few decided that since they can now afford some of life's  pleasures, that they would spend it on music that aristocrats and nobility would listen to. While on the other hand, during the 19th century, music began to develop a more story base theme with a moral lesson. Such as Ballets and Grand Operas. So basically, during the 18th-19th century, music has evolved from just sound or noise to a elegant and graceful story played through musical notation with different musical instruments while advancing the growth of the middle class.

Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll or rock 'n ' roll) is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States. The music we know as rock and roll emerged as a defined musical style in the mid 1950s, even though a form of it had been on the horizon for at least a decade or so. A quarter of the American population moved during World War II, and that is what brought southern, rural, sacred and secular traditions into contact with urban-based music and its audiences. Rock and roll drew on many different styles. It derived most directly from the rhythm and blues music of the 1940s, which it developed from earlier blues, boogie-woogie, jazz and swing music. It was also influenced by gospel, country, western, and traditional folk music. With the combinations of all of these genres of music, that help to create this new style of music excited a worldwide generation of young listeners. Even though it had the attention of young listeners it started to upset the already established social, cultural and musical authorities. With this new music style coming into full affect along with new dances and people having voicing out their own opinion caused a lot of turmoil. Many people began to question this new genre of music and labeled it as the devil music while other loved it and couldn’t help but dance

African Americans had a major role in the development of popular entertainment in America. Following the Civil War, black Americans, developed a new style of music called ragtime which eventually evolved into what we now know as Jazz. In developing Jazz, African Americans contributed knowledge of the dance and folk music of people across Africa. Together, these musical forms had a major influence on the development of music within the United States and around the world during the 20th century. Early jazz and blues recordings were made in the 1920’s and the early part of the 20th century saw a constant rise in their popularity.

Music has evolved too many different forms that we recognize today. We trace this development throughout time. Beginning in the middle ages, we have seen advancement from the Gregorian chant all the way to the Jazz of the 20th century. The current events, politics, religion, technology and composers can shape musical eras during time. Here I will look at the middle ages, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic and twentieth century periods. I hope that a better understanding can be reached to why, when, where and who are the reasons for musical evolution.

Music is a common thread and form of expression throughout all cultures. In every country the world over you will find a different style or genre of music with a unique sound. Each original style stems from the different kinds people and their cultures. The music industry has a major influence in our society. As of 2014, America had the world’s largest music market with a retail value of almost 5,000.5 million dollars, and it continues to grow.

he music we today call "rock n' roll" is a huge icon of the 50's era. Emerging onto the music scene with legends such as Elvis Presley in its wake. This is where it all started. After WWII, a quarter of Americans moved. This gave urban music a new southern, sacred sound.

Over time, change has been something that has always occurred in our society. Music is one of the things that has changed drastically over the decades. From its instruments, the use of technology, the purpose and the reason of the music. One of the things that makes music so different is the instruments and technology. In the 1920’s, jazz was popular.

Throughout history, music has evolved and branched off into many different categories, each of which have distinct styles and orchestrations; there is classical music that is centuries old and today there is modern contemporary music that is often synthesized or played with electronic instruments. There are also many ways that the two styles can cross over each other; this is seen in popular music and a lot of video game music. Though many people cannot see any similarities between modern and classical music, modern music is really an evolution of classical music; the roots of modern music go back to classical era.

Europe was not the only part of the world that experienced change in music. The United States also began a change in music that drastically improved the way we listen to, compose, and disperse music. Before the 1960s, there was an increase in different types of music that displayed characteristics much different from the nineteenth century and beyond. People began to play with tone, timing, rhythm and much more.

Music always played an important role in African American culture, especially Jazz. Being one of the oldest musical genres in North America, it gained a lot of popularity. There were many popular styles, one being New Orleans Jazz dating back to the 19th century. When Jazz is mentioned, years of partying of the Charleston and Jazz bands came to mind. The Jazz age was an outburst of music, art, and culture in America.

The history of American music begins with a fundamental process of exchange through all different social lines, where diverse cultures meet, and mix. Music has and always will be defined as sounds that are arranged in a particular pattern that are played to be meaningful and pleasurable. The chronology of music began in the Medieval period, when chanting was introduced into the Church. Music has then moved its way through many stages: renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic and leading up to 20th century American music. American 20th century music is made up of a diverse number of styles that are reflected by cultural traditions and the era’s of the past. Immigrants from Spain, France, England, Germany and Ireland all contributed and brought their own unique styles to the forefront, hence creating American music. African Americans created influential musical traditions that include rhythm and improvisation that were later combined with European traditions and other indigenous music.

Even though Jazz music was predominantly of African-American audiences, it grew to all listeners of music regardless of their race. But, if we look at the audience of today, the listeners of Jazz music are white. Jazz was also able to grow during its height because of the fact that music was able to be recorded. This gave everyone the ability to hear this genre of music, even if they were not able to go out and enjoy it live. Also during this time and through the mid-century Jazz was the dance music of Americans. Jazz in fact influenced the younger crowds in how they dressed, their language, as well as a certain attitude. Most of all, Jazz, more than most other music, has been firmly related with the societal, political, and financial impacts of American urban communities and in addition the changing status of American workmanship and music all through the

Good music doesn’t have an expiration date. Over the years, it has introduced new sounds and patterns into our everyday lives. From belting out your favorite song in the shower to quietly tapping your foot to the new song on the radio. The long and winding path torn from music’s origin has expanded through time to today’s modern music. Modern music consists of contemporary ideas and traditional tunes with a twist.