🎻Appalachian Studies Unit 5 – Appalachian music and arts

Historical Context

• Appalachian music and arts have deep roots in the region's history shaped by the diverse cultural influences of Native Americans, European settlers, and African Americans
• Traditional music styles emerged from the isolation of mountain communities blending elements of English, Scottish, and Irish ballads with African American blues and spirituals
• Early settlers brought their musical traditions (fiddle tunes, ballads, hymns) which evolved over time to reflect the unique experiences and challenges of life in the Appalachian region
• The development of railroads and coal mining in the late 19th and early 20th centuries introduced new economic and social changes that influenced the evolution of Appalachian music and arts
  • The influx of workers from various backgrounds contributed to the cultural diversity of the region
  • The growth of coal mining communities led to the emergence of labor songs and protest music
• The Great Depression and the New Deal programs of the 1930s played a significant role in documenting and preserving Appalachian music and arts
  • The Works Progress Administration (WPA) funded projects to collect and record traditional music and folklore
  • The Library of Congress' Archive of American Folk Song expanded its collection of Appalachian recordings during this period

Key Genres and Styles

• Old-time music is a traditional genre that encompasses a wide range of styles (ballads, fiddle tunes, banjo songs) and is characterized by its acoustic instrumentation and emphasis on storytelling
• Bluegrass emerged in the mid-20th century as a distinct style of Appalachian music known for its fast-paced, virtuosic instrumental performances and tight vocal harmonies
• Country music has its roots in Appalachian musical traditions and has evolved to incorporate elements of pop, rock, and other genres while maintaining a connection to the region's storytelling heritage
• Gospel music has played a significant role in Appalachian communities reflecting the deep religious faith of the region and often featuring close vocal harmonies and call-and-response patterns
• Appalachian folk arts encompass a wide range of traditional crafts (quilting, woodworking, pottery) that showcase the region's creative spirit and connection to the land
• Ballad singing is a centuries-old tradition in Appalachia that involves the unaccompanied singing of narrative songs often passed down through oral tradition
• Shape-note singing is a distinctive sacred music tradition that uses a system of shaped notes to facilitate community singing and has thrived in Appalachian churches

Influential Artists and Performers

• The Carter Family (A.P., Sara, and Maybelle) were pioneering recording artists in the 1920s and 1930s whose close harmonies and guitar playing style laid the foundation for country and bluegrass music
• Jimmie Rodgers, known as the "Father of Country Music," was a influential early recording artist who popularized the blue yodel and incorporated elements of blues and folk music into his songs
• Bill Monroe is considered the "Father of Bluegrass" and his band, the Blue Grass Boys, established the genre's signature sound with their fast-paced instrumentals and high-lonesome vocal style
• Jean Ritchie was a prominent folk singer, dulcimer player, and song collector who played a key role in the revival of traditional Appalachian music in the mid-20th century
• Ralph Stanley was a bluegrass banjo player and singer whose distinctive style and repertoire of traditional songs made him a beloved figure in Appalachian music
• Loretta Lynn is a country music icon from Appalachia known for her autobiographical songwriting and pioneering role as a female artist in the genre
• Dolly Parton is a multi-faceted artist from the Appalachian region who has achieved success in country music, film, and philanthropy while maintaining a strong connection to her cultural roots
• Doc Watson was a virtuosic guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose innovative flatpicking style and repertoire of traditional songs made him a influential figure in Appalachian music

Instruments and Techniques

• The fiddle is a central instrument in Appalachian music used for playing melodic lead lines, rhythmic accompaniment, and improvisation
  • Appalachian fiddling styles often incorporate elements of Scottish and Irish traditions (ornaments, drones) as well as African American influences (syncopation, slides)
• The banjo is a stringed instrument with African roots that has become a defining sound of Appalachian music particularly in old-time and bluegrass styles
  • Clawhammer and fingerpicking are two common banjo playing techniques in Appalachian music each with its own distinct sound and rhythmic feel
• The guitar is a versatile instrument used for both rhythmic accompaniment and melodic lead playing in Appalachian music
  • Flatpicking is a guitar playing technique that involves using a pick to play individual notes and is commonly used in bluegrass and old-time music
  • Carter Family picking is a influential guitar style named after Maybelle Carter that combines melody, rhythm, and bass lines played with the thumb and fingers
• The mandolin is a small, eight-stringed instrument that provides a bright, percussive sound in Appalachian music and is often used for playing fast, intricate melodies
• The dulcimer is a traditional Appalachian instrument with three or four strings that are played by strumming or plucking while the instrument lays flat on the musician's lap
• The harmonica is a small, portable instrument that adds a bluesy, expressive sound to Appalachian music and is often used for playing melodic fills and solos
• Vocal harmony is a defining feature of many Appalachian music styles (bluegrass, gospel) and involves the blending of two or more voices singing different notes to create chords and textures

Cultural Significance

• Appalachian music and arts serve as a powerful expression of the region's cultural identity, reflecting the values, experiences, and resilience of its people
• Traditional music and storytelling have played a vital role in preserving Appalachian history and passing down cultural knowledge from generation to generation
• Appalachian music has often served as a form of social commentary, addressing issues (poverty, labor struggles, environmental degradation) that have affected the region
• Sacred music traditions (shape-note singing, gospel) have been an important part of Appalachian religious life, providing a means of spiritual expression and community bonding
• Appalachian folk arts (quilting, woodworking) have not only served practical purposes but also have acted as a means of creative expression and cultural pride
  • Quilting bees and other communal craft gatherings have provided opportunities for social interaction and the sharing of skills and knowledge
• Appalachian music and arts have played a significant role in shaping the region's economy, from the early days of recording and radio to the contemporary music and tourism industries
• The cultural traditions of Appalachia have had a lasting impact on American popular culture, influencing the development of country, folk, and rock music as well as visual arts and literature

Contemporary Developments

• The Appalachian music and arts scene has experienced a resurgence of interest in recent decades, with a new generation of artists exploring and expanding upon traditional forms
• The rise of music festivals (Merlefest, Rhythm & Roots) and cultural events has provided new platforms for showcasing Appalachian talent and traditions
  • These events have attracted visitors from around the world, boosting tourism and economic development in the region
• Appalachian music has seen a growing diversity of voices and perspectives, with artists from various cultural backgrounds (African American, Latinx, LGBTQ+) contributing to the ongoing evolution of the genre
• The influence of Appalachian music can be heard in the work of contemporary artists across genres (Americana, indie folk, alt-country) who draw inspiration from the region's rich musical heritage
• Appalachian visual arts have experienced a renewed appreciation, with galleries, museums, and festivals showcasing the work of both traditional and contemporary artists
• The craft beer and local food movements have intersected with Appalachian cultural traditions, with many breweries and restaurants incorporating regional ingredients, flavors, and themes into their offerings
• Appalachian studies programs at colleges and universities have played a crucial role in promoting research, education, and public engagement around the region's music, arts, and cultural heritage
• Online platforms and social media have provided new opportunities for Appalachian artists to connect with audiences, share their work, and build communities around shared cultural interests

Regional Variations

• While Appalachian music and arts share common roots and influences, there are distinct regional variations that reflect the diverse geography, history, and cultural makeup of the region
• The music of the Blue Ridge Mountains (Virginia, North Carolina) is known for its smooth, lyrical fiddle tunes and tight vocal harmonies, reflecting the influence of English and Scottish ballad traditions
• The music of the Cumberland Mountains (Kentucky, Tennessee) is characterized by a harder-edged sound, with driving banjo and fiddle playing and a greater emphasis on blues and African American musical influences
• The music of the Allegheny Mountains (West Virginia, Pennsylvania) has a strong tradition of labor songs and protest music, reflecting the region's history of coal mining and union activism
• The music of the Ozarks (Arkansas, Missouri) has a distinct sound that blends elements of Appalachian, Western, and Native American musical traditions
• Appalachian folk arts also exhibit regional variations, with different areas known for their unique styles of quilting, pottery, woodworking, and other crafts
  • The pottery traditions of North Georgia and Western North Carolina are renowned for their use of local clays and glazes and their distinctive forms and designs
  • The woodworking traditions of Eastern Kentucky and Southwest Virginia are known for their fine craftsmanship and use of native hardwoods (cherry, walnut)
• Regional accents and dialects also play a role in shaping the sound and style of Appalachian music, with artists often incorporating local speech patterns and colloquialisms into their lyrics and performances

Preservation and Education

• Efforts to preserve and promote Appalachian music and arts have been ongoing for decades, with a range of organizations and initiatives working to document, archive, and share the region's cultural heritage
• The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a federal-state partnership that supports economic and cultural development in the region, including funding for music and arts programs
• The Smithsonian Institution has played a key role in documenting and preserving Appalachian music and arts, with its Folkways record label releasing numerous recordings of traditional artists
• The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress houses an extensive collection of Appalachian music recordings, photographs, and manuscripts that are accessible to researchers and the public
• Universities and colleges throughout the region have established Appalachian studies programs that offer courses, degrees, and research opportunities focused on the region's music, arts, and culture
  • Berea College in Kentucky is home to the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center, which hosts a variety of educational and cultural programs related to Appalachian music and arts
  • East Tennessee State University's Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies program is the oldest established program of its kind, offering degrees in traditional music performance and scholarship
• Music camps and workshops (Augusta Heritage Center, Swannanoa Gathering) provide opportunities for students of all ages to learn from master musicians and artists in a immersive, community-based setting
• Museums and cultural centers (Museum of Appalachia, Blue Ridge Music Center) serve as important resources for preserving and interpreting the region's musical and artistic traditions
  • These institutions often host exhibitions, performances, and educational programs that engage visitors with the rich cultural heritage of Appalachia
• Online archives and digital collections have made Appalachian music and arts more accessible to a wider audience, allowing people from around the world to explore and appreciate the region's cultural treasures