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Are there any connections in today's popular music to the early folk music of America? Consider all of the influences discussed in the chapters: Spanish, British, and Africa.
There are a number of similarities between contemporary popular music and early American folk music when examining the British, African, and Spanish influences that were discussed throughout the chapters. Early American folk music was created by amateur musicians and utilized as a means of storytelling, connecting over shared experiences in everyday life. While the music may have different sounds today, many of the same functions of music remain. British influence on early American music, particularly in forms of ballads and songs, is one of the greatest influences on early American music. These ballads and songs retold the experiences of American early life, and were sung by Americans along with the tunes, subsequently committing them to memory. This influence can be seen in popular music today, especially in the genres of country and singer-songwriter music, as storytelling through song is vital, even if the more modern sounds are used to convey such a story.
African influence on early American music is also extremely prominent. The African emphasis on rhythm, call and response, and the participation of the entire group all made their way into work songs and spirituals. In popular music today, these influences are seen in genres like hip hop, pop, and R&B. Many contemporary songs today emphasize the beat and rhythm of songs, while call and response is also evident in many choruses, as well as in concerts when the crowd is encouraged to sing along. The improvisational element of music is also seen as an important element today, which derives from this influence by Africans. The use of music as an emotional outlet and to convey struggles and emotions is also seen in contemporary popular music.
Spanish influence on American folk music is also visible. Spanish traditions included the use of the guitar in music, as well as the use of storytelling songs like the corrido, which were used to convey topics from historical events to religion to real life events. The guitar, too, is one of the most popular instruments in contemporary popular music, spanning numerous genres. Latin music has also become a popular genre in contemporary popular music. Overall, contemporary popular music shares a great deal of similarities with early American folk music. Despite the changes in sounds, many of the same concepts were important in early American folk music, just as they remain today. These concepts include storytelling through song, rhythm and beat being vital, and the expression of culture.
by Josiah Avellaneda