MUSIC 250
Topics in Music and Culture

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Study Sheet for Quiz no.1 September 30
The quiz will cover Chapters 1, 2 and 3 from "Music of Black Americans"
Be prepared to discuss examplesof African musical traditions in America
Chapter 1
idiophones, aerophones, chordophones and membranophone
Chapter 2
Be prepared to discuss cultural blending of African and European musical traditions in the Colonial Era.
According to Southern, blacks participated quite frequently in music making as musicians. What evidence does she provide to support her point?
Discuss how slaves acquired their musical skills and the three conditions that determined the instruments they chose.
Why are "slave festivals" important in our understanding of cultural blending in the Colonial Era?
Chapter 3
Describe the general characteristics of spirituals in regards to both text and musicWhat are the themes in spirituals that reflect the black experience?
Terms; Second Great Awakening, Richard Allen, wandering refrains, spiritual songs, wandering verses, ring shout, brush arbor, ring spirituals, and call and response patterns.
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Reading Questions
These questions are primarily meant to help you focus on the main points and to generate discussion.
Wednesday 4,
Roberts, John Storm. Black Music of Two Worlds Chapter 2
1. Discuss the kinds of instruments that survived throughout the Americas.
2. Discuss the kinds of music that survived throughout the Americas. What function did they perform within the context of performance and/or ritual?
3. Describe the musical aesthetics and characteristics that manifested themselves in various song forms and performances.
4. According to Roberts, what accounted for the African elements surviving in nearly a "pure state" in particular countries?
5. What examples does he provide to explain how these African elements, characteristics and songs survived?
Friday 6
Roberts, John Storm. Black Music of Two Worlds Chapter 3 pages 40 - 58
1. What are the two contributions "blacks made to the cultural pattern" in all regions of the New World?
2. Why does Roberts believe that the rate and degree of cultural blending depended on particular conditions?
3. What are the musical, religious and social similarities between the religious practices of Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the US?
4. Why does Roberts believe that the Afro-American's role in the growth of New World festivals and carnivals is significant?
5. How are instruments examples of the "process of Afro-Americanization?"
6. What two African musical elements are prevalent throughout the Americas, what accounts for their survival and are there examples in black American music?
7. Explain Bastide's term "adaptive survival."
8. What are Roberts thoughts on Bastide's point.
9. Explain why Roberts uses a quote from Leroi Jones. How does it relate to the discussion on "adaptive survival."
Monday 9,
Southern, Eileen. The Music of Black Americans Chapter 2
1. What was the major form(s) of entertainment in the 18th century among colonists?
2. According to Southern, blacks participated quite frequently in music making as musicians. What evidence does she provide to support her point?
3. Why is the Sewall diary significant?
4. Why does Southern believe psalm singing is important in understanding black and white relations?
5. Explain why northern slave owners and non-slave owners wanted to convert blacks to Christianity.
6. What were southern slave owners attitudes regarding blacks and Christianity?
7. Summarize dance music in the Colonial Era and the role black musicians played.
8. Why does Southern believe Cresswell's description of the "Negro Ball" is significant?
9. Discuss how slaves acquired their musical skills and the three conditions that determined the instruments they chose.
10. Why does Southern believe that"slave festivals" are important in our understanding of cultural blending in the Colonial Era?