American Multicultural Folk Music

Jason, Erin, Sam, and Kim

WHAT MAKES IT A FOLK SONG?

ALL OF THESE MUST BE TRUE:• IT HAS NO KNOWN COMPOSER.

• MORE THAN ONE VERSION OF THE SONG EXISTS. (WORDS OR MELODY ARE DIFFERENT BUT STILL RECOGNIZABLE.)

• IT SERVES A PURPOSE IN ITS CULTURE OTHER THAN MAKING MONEY.

Jason

Sea Shanties!

Clipper ships were very fast, and were used to haul cargo across the Atlantic ocean.

Haul Away Joe

Jason

The capstan was used to raise the anchor, which was much too heavy for a person to pull up by hand.

Imagine these men singing a capstan shanty to walk in time.

Santy Anno

Jason

These halyards had to be hauled up the mast with ropes and human strength! Halyard shanties repeated a key word at

regular intervals which signaled the men to pull when singing the word.

Blow the Man Down

Jason

Jason

American Civil War  

1861-1865     

Sam

Civil War Era Folk MusicWhat influenced the songs?

 - Peoples' perspective on key issues:• war• soldiers• family• slavery• freedom • slaves

Sam

Questions to think about while listening to CW era folk songs:  

• What is the topic of the song? • What does the song say about the topic?

 • Who might have written this song? 

 • How did the war influence this song?

Civil War Era Folk Music

Sam

African American Spirituals

"Follow the Drinking Gourd" (listen)

Kim

African American Spirituals 

-The songs were transmitted orally from one person to another.  -Mix of traditional African Music and Christian Spirituals -Runaway slaves used the lyrics of the songs to hide messages from the salve owners and slave catchers

-Spirituals influenced jazz, soul and R & B.

Kim

Appalachian Folk MusicInstruments used:

• Guitar• Harmonica• Fiddle (Violin)• Banjo• Wash-bin Bass

Erin

Where does the music come from?

• Traditional English, Irish and Scottish Music• African American Blues• Religious Hymns• Includes fiddle tunes• Includes Ballads

Erin

How Appalachian Folk Music is Used:

• To tell a story• For entertainment• For dancing

Erin

Wash-bin Bass

• Changes pitch by moving the stick.

• Pitch goes up if the string is tightened

• Pitch goes down if the string is loosened

http://www.blueandgraypickers.com/bluegrass/blueandgray/images/bios/rod_full.jpg

Erin

Hawaiian Folk Music

Kim

About the Lei-Leis can be made of flowers, leaves, nuts, shells, feathers or bones! -Brought to the Hawaiian Islands by early Polynesian voyagers. -The maile lei is the most sacred. It is used to signify peace between opposing chiefs.  Lei Etiquette

-Anyone can wear a lei! 

-Wear the lei slightly draped over the back and front of shoulders. 

-Do not remove the lei in the presence of who gave it to you!

Kim

 History of Hula-Early Hawaiians did not have a written language, so Hula was passed down orally. -Hula is sacred to both men and women becuase both sexes are allowed to dance. -In the 1800's hula was almost lost because the missionaries forbid the native Hawaiians to dance! Two Styles of Hula:-hula kahiko-traditional and ritualistic style of hula. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Er0cltTD50 -hula auana-the westernized hula.

Kim

Uli Uli and Ipu1.   Hold the uli, uli with fingers wrapped around gourd.2.  Practice shaking the uli, uli in one position from left to right, one hand at a time.3.  Next move the uli, uli across your body while moving it from left to write in your hand.4.  The goal is to keep it moving in rhythm!       a.   Count 1, 2, 3, 4!

1.  Hold the ipu as shown in the picture. 2.  Practice playing the ipu with your u (lower palm) and te (fingers). In this pattern u te u te u te 3.  Try different rhythms 

       a.   u te te, u te te (repeat)      b.  u te, u te te, u te te te u te te

(repeat)

Kim

Pu’ili/Split Bamboo and Ukulele1.   Hold the Pu’ili at the solid end (not the split end) like you would hold a bottle. 2.  Use only the wrist and practice hitting them together (like the demonstration) 3.  Now practice hitting the Pu’ili on your shoulders—remember only use the wrist! 4.  Now make a rhythm.           a.   Count 1, 2, 3 out and 4 on the shoulders. 

         b.  Make your own pattern!

Kim

School Folk Song

School Cultural Aspects:

• lunch room• homework• recess• passing time• science class• drama club• teachers

Class Cultural Aspects:

• projects• jokes• friends• games• trips

 

Sam