Folk music is a genre of synthesis. It transformed the musical perspective by allowing an interdepend relationship between notation, formal training, and aesthetic criticism. The relationship between these aspects of music, were not achieved prior to this period of music. Folk music also synthesized music of the privileged White American and the degraded African-American oral tradition as well. Folk music is not associated with any other genre of music, whereas rock n roll is a fusion of music associated with lower class like rhythm and blue or white country music. This unassociated genre is conveyed through a distinguished instrumentation. The music that was synthesized to create folk is a wider variety than any other genre. Folk music has synthesized many styles to create its genre. Creating this music required a unique instrumentation in comparison to other popular genres of the time like rock n roll. Folk music is often associated with a comforting homey charter or a defiant protest depending on the environment the music is performed in. This music …show more content…
The Civil Rights Anthem We Shall Overcome eludes to the racial and socioeconomic divides in society that has been present since the founding of the country. The lyrics state, “We will walk hand in hand, someday” describes a society that has destroyed racial segregation and the present longing for unity as a society. The altruistic idea of helping everyone is a distinct characteristic of folk music compared to Rock N’ Roll being about romantic love and the desire of a relationship. In the lyrics of Can’t Buy Me Love, the song conveys the positivity money can bring to a relationship, as well as the importance of a relationship for this generation. This idea of being self-evolved and fulfilling the cultural desire of young love displays the central-idea of Rock N Roll:
Originating in the south, country music is a mix of folk songs and sounds brought over from England by Anglo-Celtic immigrants in the 1700's. (1) It was established in the Appalachians and back-woods around the time of the revolution. To cure loneliness and isolation, mountain dwellers would sing songs that reminded them of home, keeping up with traditions. According to B.A. Botkin, " the folk…group is one that has been cut off from progress and has retained beliefs, customs and expressions with limited acceptance and acquired new ones in kind." (1)
The African-American civil rights movement was a cruel time for the African American race to endure due to the harsh discrimination and segregation that they faced. This movement fought for the rights and the equality of African Americans in the United States. With all that was going on, African Americans turned to music for motivation, courage, inspiration and strength to overcome the difficult obstacles that they would soon face. “Non-violence marchers faced beating, hosing, burning, shooting, or jail with no defense other than their courage and songs” (Hast 45). “It's been a long, a long time coming/ But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will” (Cooke, Sam. A Change Is Gonna Come). Music was their greatest hope for change in the near future and is the thing that kept them fighting for what they deserved. They came together with each other due to the lyrics of many different songs that kept the civil rights movement alive and known. Music painted a vision that they could picture and look forward to; it was a dream that they could fight for. “Music empowered African Americans to hold tight to their dream of racial equality” (Jeske). A genre of music that bought society together during this movement was folk.
The book depicts the story of culture conflicts of the music, which arose from the introduction of the foot-tapping, hip-swaying music now known as rock n' roll (Graarrq). The outcome of rock n’ roll coincided with tremendous uproar in the movement to grant civil rights to African American. Trapped in the racial politics of the 1950s, rock n’ roll was credited with and criticized for promoting integration and economic opportunity for blacks while bringing to “mainstream” cloture black styles and values (Altschuler). Black values were looked over and kind of not important to whites. Whites were very much so well treated then blacks were, however no one spoke out until the outcome of rock n’ roll.
In the song “When Will We Be Paid for the Work We’ve Done?” by the Staple Singers, they use pop music and culture to spread their message. The song talks about how African Americans have done all this work for the white men but they don’t receive any repayment for it. The Staples Singers focus on many different aspects of African American history throughout the song. They used this song to reflect on African American history during the times of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. They also used the catchy tune to engage people and unite them by singing along in protest. The catchy tune that made the song easy to sing along irritated the officers that had to control the protests. This song was an easy way to express the thoughts of unequal
In the 1950s rock-n-roll established its own marks in history. It spread throughout the decade in a thrilling, substantial, and even livid to those Americans trying to get rid of all sorts of conflicts and challenges that occurred during this time period. As exciting as this music was, the novel “All Shook Up” portrays how rock-n-roll brought many changes to the American culture and later to the sixties. It expresses many concerns such as race relations, moral decays, and communism, but in ways that are partially true.
Rock and Roll is a genre of popular music that originated in the United States of America during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It is derived from African American roots in musical styles such as gospel, boogie woogie, jazz, jump, and rhythm & blues but also has strong roots from hillbilly music which would later be known as country. Rock and Roll has really been in existence since the
Although folk music played a big role in most of these artists’ performances, folk links back to the blues, and is similar...
I believe that the history of rock and roll demonstrates a link between culture and social class race, and age; by the way a genre brings all the people in these different categories into one big group. When rock and roll began to emerge people from different cultures and social classes started to come together as a group by the way they dressed. It was not only the music but also the fashion it brought along with it. People from this era changed the way they dressed, styled their hair and their means of transportation. This brought together people from different cultures and social class, race and age all together.
Appalachian Music Appalachee - people on the other side Folk music - What is folk music? Traditional songs existing in countries. Handed down through generations. Passes on by word of mouth, not written in musical notation. Don't know who wrote it. Melody and lyrics change as they are passed on.
In closing, the undoubtable influence of music, more specifically of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society is responsible for a number of changes to the status quo. These range from sexual liberation and racial desegregation all culminating with other influences to create an intergenerational identity. Despite the desperate attempts of older generations to smother these influences, these changes ultimately shaped the years that followed, molding the country into what it is today. Along the way these changes as well as individual involvement in them has also eased the lives of many through empowerment and a feeling of community and purpose. Despite a lull and renewal Rock ‘n’ Roll continues to serve as an agent of influence and change in today’s youth culture and continues to burn in the heart of past generations of loyal fans.
Many people and many styles of music influenced Rock and Roll. The styles included Blues, Jazz, Gospel, Bluegrass, Boogie-Woogie, and Rockabilly. Each was a major factor into the introduction of a new style of music called Rock ‘N’ Roll.
Music plays a huge role in the structure of a society. It can have both negative and positive influence on cultures and communities. First, musical sounds and instruments can be a dividing factor between the people within the same culture. These opposing social and economic identities within these cultures can lead unnecessary animosity between the members. However, music can also be one of the forces that unite members of a culture and provide a sense pride for everyone. This makes it easier for people to display their identification to that culture.
The folk movement had an important effect on the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s as it exposed middle class white suburban kids from around the country to the struggles of the African Americans particularly in the southern region of the United States. While students and youth were able to hear about and learn about the Civil Rights Movement through the music of the folk movement. The feeling that the folk music was in the right morally drew these fans to both the folk movement and the Civil Rights Movement. Using the music to stand up for Civil Rights for African Americans was certainly a way for the folk moments fans to separate themselves from their parent’s generations. They all began to believe like Seeger had all along that folk music had the power to shape and form people into wanting to support Civil Rights Causes.
It was also kind of difficult for me to explain rock & roll specifically, because it contains many of the elements of the different genres from some of the earlier music we studied. I just know that rock & roll wouldn’t have become what it is today, if it were not for our musicians in the past which has allowed us to learn and grow from them.
Throughout history music has proven to provide a vital part of society. Every day people are exposed to music. In some cases this music may cause people to form emotions and opinions (Koelsch). Music can be the life of an artist or a motivational tool that helps a person or culture get through the day. Regardless of the political or social scene in the future, music just like other forms of art will continue to evoke society just as it has changed it.