Introduction

Music, over the years, has changed and evolved all over the world. The United States, a young country in comparison to many others, has developed its own type of music. American music, however, is not entirely original. Early American musicians were influenced by other countries’ music. Despite assistance from foreigners, the United States formed its own style of music as it grew. Though American music was originally greatly influenced by African and English music, it soon evolved into its own category.

Before the Revolutionary War, religious music was extremely popular. The violin and the flute were the most common instruments for a man to play, but many others were still well liked. For women, it was acceptable to play English guitars or harpsichords. Songs were commonly about love. Because, during this time, the United States belonged to England, they had a large influence on American music.

During the Revolutionary War, folk music was the most popular genre. Yankee Doodle was a well-liked song, and is still well known today. Other songs were mainly written about certain battles. William Billings, considered to be the first American composer, was actively writing during this period. Despite the fact the two countries were at war, England still remained a large influence on early American music.

Old-time and country music were the most popular genres of music after the Revolutionary War. America’s favorite songs were still from other countries, most still having a religious connotation. Most songs were still about love, but their topic was slowly changing to discuss their newly found independence. Slaves really began to embrace music, using what they had for instruments. They were very creative while composing. Religious, work, and recreational songs could be heard while those activities were taking place. During this time, “Amazing Grace” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” were written. “The Star-Spangled Banner,” America’s national anthem, was written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812. John Newton wrote “Amazing Grace” about his experiences on a slave ship. Between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, the United States grew not only in size, but also greatly expanded its musical repertoire. America began to create its own type of music, taking less lead from other countries and going for itself.

The Civil War was a war between the countries, but it was also a war involving music. Many songs discussed politics or military events. During this time, the genres diversified, from Mother Goose to gospel music to war music. Africans had a large influence on the music during this period. Also, Julia Ward Howe wrote “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” considered the Civil War anthem, gaining her much recognition despite the fact that she was a woman.

After the Civil War, new genres of music unique to America came about, with Scott Joplin creating ragtime music. Scott Joplin was a very important figure in United States’ history, since he was the first black man to write a grand opera. Also, he combined European styles with African harmony and rhythm, creating the first “true American” style. Popular songs included “Clementine” and “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.” The phonograph, invented in 1877, was important to the expansion of music by allowing songs to be recorded in one place and heard in another.

What still needs work

-I still need more information on certain topics

-I don't know how everything will fit together

-I'm not sure if my thesis is very good

-I'm not sure if my paper will actually be interesting

Thesis+Outline

Thesis: Though American music was originally greatly influenced by African and English music, it soon evolved into its own category.

I. Revolutionary War Music

a. Pre-war:

i. Genres

ii. Types

iii. Songs

iv. Heavy influences

v. Popular songs then still known today

b. During war

i. Genres

ii. Types

iii. Songs

iv. Yankee Doodle

v. Instruments

vi. William Billings

vii. Heavy influences

viii. Popular songs then still known today

II. Post-Revolutionary War

a. Old-time music

b. Genres

c. Types

d. Songs

e. Slave’s music

f. Amazing Grace

g. Francis Scott Key

h. Influences

i. Popular songs then still known today

III. Civil War

a. Pre/During

i. Genres

ii. Types

iii. Songs

iv. Slave’s music

v. Julia Ward Howe

vi. Influences

vii. Popular songs then still known today

b. Post-War

i. Genres

ii. Types

iii. Songs

iv. Amazing Grace

v. Phonograph

vi. Influences

vii. Popular songs then still known today

IV. Conclusion

a. Heavy pre-Revolutionary War influences vs. heavy post-Civil War influences

i. What it shows

b. Evolution of genres/types of music from pre-Revolutionary War to post-Civil War

c. Importance of past music in today’s society-popular songs still known today

d. What all this shows about music today

e. What all this shows about influences and evolving into its own type of music

American music has evolved and has been influenced greatly over the years and shows the mood of the country as well.

Strengths:

-lots of different influences

-lots of examples of evolution

-lots of popular songs

-lots of popular artists

Weaknesses:

-random facts

-not connected yet

-broad

-maybe not the right information (?)

Popular Songs

Many popular songs in the 18^th and 19^th centuries were not written by Americans. Most came from Europe, especially from England, Scotland, and Ireland, and became well-known in the United States as people immigrated from these countries.

Most songs in the 18^th century are about love, similar to today. Most of the songs sung before the Revolutionary War are not still known today; however, many people do know the song Over the Hills and Far Away, which was popular during this time.

Songs from the Revolutionary War period were mainly about specific battles, gaining freedom, and defeating the British. One song, How Happy the Soldier, was all about how happy the soldiers were to be fighting and how strong they were. Most of these songs were lost in the years; however, Yankee Doodle did transcend the years.

Once again, before the Civil War, most songs were about love. Many others, though, were about their newfound freedom, such as America (or My Country ‘Tis of Thee), The Patriotic Diggers, and The Star Spangled Banner, now the national anthem, was written during this time. Many other songs were about the singer’s past, having them reminisce on their childhood. Sons such as The Old Oaken Bucket; Woodman, Spare that Tree; and Van Diemen’s Land show this well.

During the Civil War, songs either “belonged” to the Confederates or the Union. One song, Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! originally belonged to the Union, but it got so popular that the Confederates stole it and changed the lyrics. Some songs still known today are Battle Hymn of the Republic, John Brown’s Body, and When Johnny Comes Marching Home.

Popular songs after the Civil War are now popular children’s songs. Grandfather’s Clock, Clementine, and I’ve Been Working on the Railroad are still sung today, especially by children.

"Yankee Doodle." Contemplations from the Marianas Trench/Folk Music of Britain, Ireland & America. Web. 21 Feb. 2010. .

Genres of Music from 1606-1900

Music can help interpret history. People write what they feel, and if others can relate to it, even better. “Music can offer a more accurate picture of people and events than any other method available.” This is a very true statement, especially when historians have little to base facts off.

In the Colonial Era, from about 1606-1776, religious music was popular, especially English hymns brought to America. Around 1667, Benjamin Franklin published a book of ballads and operas also came onto the scene. Religious music, nursery rhymes, ballads, and political songs were the most popular. Songs to represent this time period are A Mighty Fortress is Our God, The Eighth of January, and Yankee Doodle.

Printing single songs began during the Revolutionary War and the post-colonial era. African slaves began to write music, and folk music and ballads were very popular. Music was still very closely linked to England. In 1814, the Star Spangled Banner was written. Other representations of this period are Rock of Ages, America, Oh Shenandoah!, Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes, and Johnny’s Gone For a Soldier. The most popular genres were fiddle tunes, negro spirituals and slave songs, and folk music.

During the Civil War and the Reconstruction era was all about political and military events. Some good examples are still well known today, such as Amazing Grace, Battle Hymn of the Republic, When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again, and Carry me Back to Old Virginny. The popular genres of music diversified, including Civil War music, gospel, Mother Goose, work songs (for railroads and western expansion), ragtime, Broadway musicals, old time music, Texas music, minstrelry, and jazz. Folklore music also began its roots there, including Indians’, negroes’, mountaineers’, cowboys’, lumberjacks’, and sailors’ music.

Types of Music

Most music from the early 19^th century had a religious connotation. Some examples are Amazing Grace and Coronation. The first music books printed were also religious, such as Episcopalian Harmony, Evangelical Harmony, and Plain Psalmody. To make it easier for Americans to sing hymns, Little and Smith wrote The Easy Instructor in 1801. It used shape notation, which is when the notes have different shapes, which helps people learn their parts of a song more quickly. Many religious musical groups also popped up, such as the Dartmouth Handel Society.

Country singers, which made up 95% of the American population, did not need books to tell them the tunes, just the words. The songs were sung to well-known melodies. Many also liked to visit others, dance, play and listen to music, walk, play games, and a variety of other activities. They also enjoyed going to camp meetings, or religious revivals, in which everyone would join together to sing and pray. At one meeting, more than 10,000 people showed up.

Popular songs were commonly from other countries, such as England and Scotland. Greensleeves and Froggy Went A-Courtin’ were two popular tunes to sing. The first orchestra in the United States was the Harvard College Orchestra, which was organized in 1809.

While on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, boatman Pierre Cruzatte would play his fiddle to entertain these explorers and the Indians. Indians believed that music was magical, and enjoyed it greatly. However, most of theirs was not written down until the late 1800s, so most was, sadly, lost.