Afro-American Folksongs: A Study in Racial and National Music (Classic Reprint) Kindle Edition

Explores the sound world of Afro-American folk songs and their place in national music history. This study surveys the music, scales, rhythms, and voices that shaped a distinctive American tradition. It examines how pentatonic melodies, modal ideas, and communal singing contributed to a broader musical landscape.Drawing on a wide range of sources, the work discusses how songs traveled, evolved, and interacted with other cultures. It looks at scales, harmony, and performance practices, and it considers the social and historical forces behind the music. The author also reflects on the limitations and methods of collecting and analyzing folk tunes, offering insight into both the music and its makers. Clear explanations of scale systems, including pentatonic tuning and its cultural reach. Analysis of how African, Caribbean, and American contexts influenced song form and harmony. Discussion of instruments, arrangement, and how songs were preserved and published. Historical context for the development of slave and post-emancipation song traditions in America.Ideal for readers of music history, ethnomusicology, and cultural study who want a grounded, thoughtful look at a pivotal body of American folk music. Read more