MUSICALEXANDRA CHAN

A bridge from the 20th to the 21st Century

What was Music during that time?

1900COUNTRY BLUES: The Blues was a living music in the countryside of the southern states. It

was this pure music which expressed the hopes and fears of an oppressed race.RAGTIME: a commercial black music, associated with popular dances such as the 'Catwalk'. Joplin was the principal exponent.ANGLO-AMERICAN FOLK: Often featured fiddles and banjos, Folk was to have a great influence on all forms of music.

1910URBAN BLUES: It was adapted country blues to the urban environment.1920BLACK CHURCH MUSIC: Religion was one of the great solaces of the

oppressed blacks of the US, and a particular form of church singing known as 'Spirituals' became world renowned.JAZZ: A recognisable style, jazz grew out of professional Urban Blues and the dance rhythms of Ragtime.BOOGIE WOOGIE: The distinctive stomping sound of Boogie-Woogie with its strong, rhythmic piano developed from a combination of Ragtime, Urban Blues and Jazz.JUG BANDS: a kind of simplified jazz on cheap instruments. Jug band music grew directly out of Urban Blues.

What was it like?

“The music was very upbeat and happy. Aside from the ones talking about war and politics, Jazz became a huge part of the music I listened to. It was also great dancing music. I could always get up and dance whenever I heard Jazz”. –My Grandma

How prevalent was it?

“From what I remember, it was popular all over. It catered to the ears of all Americans at the time and displayed the “American dream” we were striving for at the time”. –My Grandma

Who was it affecting?

“It affected most, if not all Americans at the time. Everyone wanted an escape from reality, and music was one way to get away from all the bad things happening. For me, music helped me get through some hard times I was going through, and I was very thankful”.-My Grandma

What were the factors that influenced its existence and development?

RenaissanceGreat depressionWarMore secular thinkingUrbanization and industrialization

What impacts did/does it have on the U.S. then/now?

Then: Music was a major affect during the 1900's, especially due to the

fact that the Harlem Renaissance was occurring, giving recognition to the blacks, and bringing about a new cultural such as Jazz. Whites then began to listen to Jazz, giving black people more respect. Music became a major source of entertainment as the Jazz culture came about.

Now: Music now affects more of the younger generation giving us a

small bit of influence, depending on the content of the music. It discusses about things like love, all the way to current events that are happening at the moment.

How did/does it reflect the times?

“It showed that back then we cared a lot about what was happening, yet we could still put a smile on our faces. It wasn’t easy facing reality, but when we did, music was there to comfort us. It was like an evolution of music, especially during the 1920’s”.-My Grandma

Primary Sources