Music In The United States

With the start of the 20th century music began to play a huge part in the rapidly maturing United States. The music of the 20th century was not only there to entertain the people but it was more. It was used now to influence and manipulate the listeners, the artists had a goal to entertain and to enlighten the listener so that they could get their messages heard. Music is one of the best ways to advertise and to expand ideas, and many artists knew this. Music rapidly influenced every Americans life. It was in their homes, cars, bars, theaters, movies, elevators and countless other places. Music was everywhere it defined what every American loved and worked for, it gave people hope and joy, as well as bringing out every other emotion there is in people. Music was around during the bad times as well as the good, when people were down, there were songs they could relate to, and when they were happy there were songs they could sing and dance to. Many people don’t think of how much music brightens and amplifies many things, such as movies; have you ever noticed how the directors always have a song or tune for every part of the movie bringing out just the right emotion in you. Radio, what good would radio be today if music weren’t here. There were a few major turning points in music history during the century.

A couple of decades after the turn of the century music started to work its way into the homes of people and the invention of the record player was a big advance and people no longer needed an entire orchestra to listen to the music they loved. People still used pianos and various instruments to conduct their own music though. It was often a popular form entertainment people could gather around the musician playing the piano or any other instruments and sing along and dance. Music was becoming more and more popular.

In the 1920’s the big bands had already hit the music scene and were a popular choice for many listeners, but new forms of it were branching, swing and jazz were becoming very popular. Although, it was new to the people in the United States it had mostly emerged long before then with the African-Americans, who since the days of slavery had been making there own forms of folk music. Such forms as ragtime, fife and drum bands, string bands and spirituals. Be...

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... would not have spoken their mind, many more people may have been killed in Vietnam, and issues very important today may have never been brought to the attention of the people living in the United States.

During all this time a quieter and less popular form of music had already exploded in many community around the country, Gospel. It was a form of spreading religion though exciting and fun preaching in the form of music. It was a change from the restrained singing popular in the 18th century, having loud upbeat rithimes. It was originated by the blacks and was for many years considered disrespectful and rude. Although, it eventually worked it’s way into every church in America. It offered a new open way of worship.

History has shown us that the music we have loved and hated through out the life of this country has had such an important role in almost every big event in the history of this country that with out it our country may have been very different and maybe even a little dull. If history has tought us anything it is that music is at the top of the list for its importance in American culture, economy and life style.