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Notes taken from Dr. Benita Wolters-Fredlunds Music History II PowerPoint Presentation on
American Vernacular Music at the turn of the 20th century
Slaves harshly discouraged from continuing African religious and cultural practices (considered
savage and heathen); at the same time they were not allowed to join whites in European
cultural practices. African cultural practices continue despite oppression, often in secret.
Exception: White slave owners actually encouraged singing of work songs to help slaves work
quickly and efficiently.
Still managed to entertain themselves and their owners with singing, dancing, and instrumental
music (sometimes price of slave went up if he/she were musically gifted.)
While slaves came from different countries and spoke different languages, some common
African musical traits were common among them all and made a lasting impact on American
musical life (see list).
Many aspects of language and culture difficult for slaves to hold on to, and owners prevented
them from doing so, but music was easier to preserve
Many African musical traits used in African-American music:
Call and response format
Improvisation
Syncopation
Multiple layers of rhythm
Repetition of short rhythmic or melodic patterns
Bending of pitches or sliding between notes
Moans, shouts, and other vocalizations
Instruments like banjo, based on W. African string instruments.
Much religious music in African American churches was a variant of practices in EuropeanAmerican churches, but others were more distinctive, including the spirituals and shouts.
Spiritual = a religious song of southern slaves, passed down through oral (folk) tradition.
African-American form with the greatest impact in the 19th C
Texts: images / stories from Bible, but often with hidden or double meanings related to their own
yearning for freedom
Eg. Go Down, Moses first spiritual to appear in print. Spirituals first published in forms
close to what was actually sung; later straightened in versions for piano and choir that were
easier to learn and play
Layers of meaning both spiritual and political in the texts of spirituals
1. Identification w/ suffering of the Jews or Jesus.
Where you there when they crucified my Lord?
Nobody Knows the Trouble Ive Seen
2. Imagining a brighter future