Country: America’s Music Early Influences and Instruments

Appalachian Mountains

Birthplace of Country Music Appalachia is a thirteen state region that stretches along the Appalachian mountain range, extending from southwestern New York State to northeastern Mississippi.

Log Cabin Symbolized Frontier Appalachian forests provided plenty of logs Appalachian forests provided plenty of logs Cabins were simple and fairly quick to build Cabins were simple and fairly quick to build No sawmill was needed to cut timber into boards No sawmill was needed to cut timber into boards Thick walls made log cabins warm in winter Thick walls made log cabins warm in winter

Early Settlers Lived Off the Land

Old-Time Entertainment But people who lived in log cabins on the frontier were a long way from the city. But people who lived in log cabins on the frontier were a long way from the city. Television and radio had not been invented. Television and radio had not been invented. Neither had movies or video games. Neither had movies or video games. In the evening, there was only a fireplace or candle for light. So reading was difficult. In the evening, there was only a fireplace or candle for light. So reading was difficult. What could people do to entertain themselves? What could people do to entertain themselves?

People Made Their Own Music Musicians were much in demand on the frontier Musicians were much in demand on the frontier When a wagon train went west, people liked to take musicians along When a wagon train went west, people liked to take musicians along In the evening, people would listen, sing along, or even dance In the evening, people would listen, sing along, or even dance What instruments were popular in Appalachia? What instruments were popular in Appalachia?

Old-Time Country Instruments What instrument is played by the musician on the left? What instrument is played by the musician on the left? What instrument is played by the musician in the middle? What instrument is played by the musician in the middle? What instrument is played by the musician on the right? What instrument is played by the musician on the right?

Which of the instruments is missing from this picture?

History of “Drum with Strings” The banjo originated in Arabia, came to West Africa with Islam The banjo originated in Arabia, came to West Africa with Islam African version had drumhead over a body made of hollow gourd African version had drumhead over a body made of hollow gourd Enslaved Africans adapted instrument design to North American materials Enslaved Africans adapted instrument design to North American materials

Early Banjo Player

The Banjo: Key Points Banjos have how many strings? [five] Banjos have how many strings? [five] How did the banjo come to the U.S.? [Enslaved Africans in the South created instruments that resembled African instrument with a drum-like body] How did the banjo come to the U.S.? [Enslaved Africans in the South created instruments that resembled African instrument with a drum-like body] How is the banjo played? [held in lap, plucked or strummed] How is the banjo played? [held in lap, plucked or strummed] How does a banjo sound? [tinny, metal sound] How does a banjo sound? [tinny, metal sound]

From Spain via Ireland The modern guitar has its roots in Spain The modern guitar has its roots in Spain A smaller-bodied version was created to accompany Irish singers A smaller-bodied version was created to accompany Irish singers When they immigrated to the United States, musicians from Ireland took the guitar along When they immigrated to the United States, musicians from Ireland took the guitar along

Passing Time at Sea

The Guitar: Key Points Guitars have how many strings? [six] Guitars have how many strings? [six] How did guitars first come to the U.S.? [The Irish adapted Spanish guitars and brought them when they immigrated to the U.S.] How did guitars first come to the U.S.? [The Irish adapted Spanish guitars and brought them when they immigrated to the U.S.] When was the guitar introduced to the U.S.? [in the 1800s, or the 19th century] When was the guitar introduced to the U.S.? [in the 1800s, or the 19th century] How is the guitar played? [held in lap, strummed or plucked] How is the guitar played? [held in lap, strummed or plucked]

Fiddle or Violin? Scots-Irish immigrants brought the fiddle to the United States Scots-Irish immigrants brought the fiddle to the United States The fiddle is the same instrument as the violin The fiddle is the same instrument as the violin But fiddlers have a different way of playing But fiddlers have a different way of playing They seldom use vibrato They seldom use vibrato Most set the fiddle up so they can play quickly Most set the fiddle up so they can play quickly

Can you spot the fiddler?

The Fiddle: Key Points Fiddles have how many strings? [four] Fiddles have how many strings? [four] What is the fiddle made of? [wood] What is the fiddle made of? [wood] Who first brought the fiddle to the U.S.? [Scots-Irish] Who first brought the fiddle to the U.S.? [Scots-Irish] How is the fiddle played? [It is rested on the shoulder and bowed or plucked.] How is the fiddle played? [It is rested on the shoulder and bowed or plucked.] When was it introduced to the U.S.? [1700s, or the 18th century] When was it introduced to the U.S.? [1700s, or the 18th century]