History/Culture
What is the difference between assimilation and acculturation and how have these processes influenced the development of AAM?
Assimilation original culture completely disappears, acculturation original culture is modified, but retains some elements; Most evident in areas with strong protestant ethic and most efforts made to eliminate any remnants of African culture
What melodic techniques present in African Music are evident in African American Music(AAM)?
Call & Response, Gutteral Effects, Melisma, Blue Notes
What are some other names by which the "ring shout" was known?
Glory Shout, Walk around, Running spiritual
Name four types of cries.
Plain – simple, straightforward, functional
Florid – very decorated with interpolation and melisma
Coloratura – more musical complexity in melody often displaying singer’s virtuosity, talent
Street Cries (Vendors) – Used to sell goods
How were folk songs considered early protest songs?
•Improvised derisive singing
•Use of subtle satire in presence of whites
•Copied mannerisms of master or mistress
•Inserted subtle and hidden ideas of protest as verses in otherwise innocent songs
Explain the process of Cross Fertilization and how it impacted the development of AAM?
Elements of two cultures influence each other resulting in a culture that has elements of both; Most evident in Louisiana where slave management was less harsh.
What rhythmic techniques are strongly evident in AAM?
Syncopation, polyrhythm, stratification, concrescence
What is collective improvisation?
Several voices improvising their parts simultaneously
What performance techniques are typically associated with cries and hollers?
Yodeling, Glissando, Melisma, Falsetto, Blue and Bent notes, Repeated pitches, Guttural effects
What is the significance of Pinkster Day in relation to AAM?
Pentecost celebration originally started by Dutch in New York and New Jersey where blacks allowed to sing and dance and gather w/o fear of punishment
Explain the concept of cultural memory. How does it relate to the development of AAM?
Using memory to recreate things from the previous culture
Explain the concept of Call & Response and how it has been used in AAM throughout history?
Antiphonal music technique in which one voice presents a musical idea and another voice responds with either same material (Confirmation), completion of musical idea (Completion), or comment (Answer)
What performance techniques are considered guttural effects?
Shouts, Intoned - defined pitch, Nonintoned - indefinite pitch (spoken), Moans, Groans, Screams.
For what purposes were cries and hollers used?
Communication, Used to make announcements, Arrange appointments, Organize meetings/work details, Convey greetings, Sell goods
What was the significance of “Congo Square?”
Allowed Black people to dance and sing using cultural memory, which preserved more African traditions
How did the Catholic and Protestant religions impact the development of AAM differently?
Catholic religion was closer to African model resulting in music closer to original African model in Latin and South America and in parts of America where Catholic religion was prevalent. Allowed significantly more freedom to slaves to maintain music and culture.
Why is AAM considered music of the oral tradition?
Passed down by word of mouth, not written
Explain the concept of lining out?
The leader sings each line first, then line is repeated by group in an embellished fashion
What is the difference between a holler, a cry, and a call?
Hollers used to communicate across fields, Calls/cries for more personal communication, Cries express emotional experience
Explain the role of the griot and jillikea in African music
Griot – tribal historian: Jillikea – singing men
How was the purpose of African music reflected in early AAM?
Functionality
What is a ring shout?
Counterclockwise circular dance w/ music that has ever-increasing tempo
What is the "wandering refrain" concept?
Use of same refrain for different songs
What kinds of instruments were used to accompany early AAM?
Banjo, fiddle
How did voodoo incorporate elements from other cultures?
Voodoo was a result of the syncretizing of African religious beliefs, many of which were from the Dahomey tribe, with Catholic beliefs and practices, and French West Indian culture. The practice was primarily centered on worship of the snake deity Damballa through singing, dancing, and spirit possession. However, other deities and saints were also glorified, similar to the Catholic church’s exaltation of the apostles, the virgin Mary, and the assignment of patron saints to bless and protect aspects of everyday life