The most important influence on 20th century music? African Americans and the musical culture they brought to this country – developed within the bonds of slavery . Even before the 20th century began, blues music was evolving across the country out of the traditional African slave spirituals, work calls and chants.
Where did African American music come from?
The music of African Americans can be traced back to the days of slavery . In the fields as slaves were working you could hear them singing songs to pass the time. These songs were a way for them to share their life stories.
Where did the influence on African American blues music come from?
The origins of the blues are poorly documented, but it is believed that after the American Civil War (1861–65), formerly enslaved African Americans and their descendants created this genre while working on Southern plantations, taking inspiration from hymns, minstrel show music, work songs and field hollers, ragtime, ...
What is the cultural background of African American music?
Although the African elements of African American musical culture remain strong, the music of African Americans is a hybrid of the musical traditions of Africa, Europe, and Native American cultures , along with other influences from around the world.
What was the first form of African American music?
The earliest form of black musical expression in America, spirituals were based on Christian psalms and hymns and merged with African music styles and secular American music forms. Spirituals were originally an oral tradition and imparted Christian values while also defining the hardships of slavery.
Who was the first black musician?
In 1890 George W. Johnson became the first African American to record commercially. A common story is that Johnson, a former slave, was discovered singing on the streets of Washington, D.C., by Berliner recording agent Fred Gaisberg.
Who is the most famous African-American singer?
- Aretha Franklin. ...
- BB King. ...
- Jimi Hendrix. ...
- James Brown. ...
- Stevie Wonder. ...
- Prince. Prince was an American icon whose music dominated the 80s and early 90s. ...
- Dr. Dre. ...
- Beyoncé Finally, we couldn’t compile a list of influential African American musical artists without the Queen herself, Beyoncé.
How did slavery influence music?
Music was a way for slaves to express their feelings whether it was sorrow, joy, inspiration or hope. Songs were passed down from generation to generation throughout slavery. These songs were influenced by African and religious traditions and would later form the basis for what is known as “Negro Spirituals”.
What impact did African music have on the blues?
African influences have been apparent in the blues tonality from its beginning; the call and response pattern of the repeated refrain ; the falsetto break in the vocal style; and the imitation of vocals by instruments, especially the guitar and harmonica.
Why is blues music so important?
The emergence of Blues can be considered the biggest music event in history as it crystalized emotions and creativity in a period of rapid development and economic growth. It is rooted in deep inequity and has powered liberation and emancipation efforts globally.
How was popular music greatly influenced by African and Latin American culture and music?
African Influences
While Europeans influenced Latin American music in terms of instruments and expressions, Africans came with their traditional beats and unique sounds that have always been part of their culture due to religious ceremonies and rituals that included drumming as well as music .
How did the music of African migrants affect the culture of the United States?
Like Africans from earlier diasporas and like immigrants from elsewhere, they have brought their artistic skills, values, knowledge, and experience and created dynamic, often powerful new cultural forms that give definition to their communities in the USA.
How does music play a role in American culture?
Music provides identity and the opportunity to tell others who you are . Music often provides a ritual function, either in the context of religion or in secular rituals like dance parties. Some traditional forms of American music focus mainly on the human voice and use minimal instrumentation or percussion.
What is African American music called?
African American music (also called black music, formerly known as race music ) is an umbrella term given to a range of music and musical genres such as afrobeat emerging from or influenced by the culture of African Americans, who have long constituted a large ethnic minority of the population of the United States.
Who was a famous black musician?
Musical legends Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday. CLEVELAND, Ohio — Billie Holiday, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Louis Armstrong, Led Belly, B.B. King, Sam Cooke and Mahalia Jackson. That should just about cover every major musical genre from the last 150 years or so.
Blues is a music genre and musical form which was originated in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s by African-Americans from roots in African-American work songs, and spirituals.
