1. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
An Overview of
Appalachian Musical
History and Style.
Created by:
Donna Hentsch
July 24, 2012
SOURCE: http://article.wn.com/
2. LOCATION OF THE
APPALACHIAN REGION
1500 Miles from Maine
to Georgia
Area called “Back
Country” in Colonial
times
Residents share culture
and music
SOURCE: http://www.mikalac.com/map/map2.html
3. APPALACHIAN HISTORY
17th Century settlers came to the Appalachian Region from:
England
Scotland
Ireland
Wales
4. APPALACHIAN LIFE
Life was hard in the Appalachian Region
Settlers to the area are called “Mountain People”
Mountain People are hardy and self-reliant due to
their remote locations and isolation
5. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
Mountain People live in tight-knit communities
Mountain People are very religious and like to sing,
dance and worship in groups
Musical traditions are passed
down to younger generations
SOURCE:
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.20
0152683/default.html
6. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
STYLE
Appalachian music has Anglo Celtic roots
Popular classic songs are sung without
accompaniment of an instrument
Some examples are: “Barbara Allen,” “Fair
Ellender,” and “Lord Thomas”
8. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
INFLUENCES
Appalachian music was highly influenced by:
German Immigrants
Polish Immigrants
Czech Immigrants
African American music
9. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
STYLE
Appalachian music uses “Call and Response” style as seen
in African American slave music
Verse-and-refrain style popular for religious singing
Banjo playing style called “Rocking the Bow”
10. APPALACHIAN MUSIC IN
THE 1800’S
Less cultural isolation due to mobility, radio
and phonographs
Mountain People’s music incorporates
sounds heard on the radio/records into
their own music
SOURCE:
http://ikawtube.com/2011/09/look-
whats-coming-in-phonograph-records/
11. APPALACHIAN MUSIC IN
THE 1900’S
Music of the Mountain People seen to be
very English in heritage
Mountain People’s music also commonly
defined as “pure American folk music”
SOURCE:
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natli
b.ihas.200152683/default.html
12. APPALACHIAN MUSIC IN
THE 1900’S
Appalachian music influence is seen today in: the following
styles of American music:
Blues
Jazz
Bluegrass
Country
Gospel
SOURCE:
Pop http://www.musicclout.com/contents/article-78-
defining-your-style.aspx
13. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
EXAMPLE 1
This is a wonderful short movie about the history of
Appalachian music. The first link is to Part 1 and the second
link is to Part 2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVMi3MH0uRU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmAt22J-
pbc&feature=relmfu
14. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
EXAMPLE 2
Flat Mountain Girls
This musical example is of an Appalachian group called the Flat
Mountain Girls:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLdXR5o3e_o&feature=re
lated
15. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
EXAMPLE 3
Whitetop Mountain Band
This example is an Appalachian group called the Whitetop Mountain
Band, singing the song “Sally Anne.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSIF9s17yW8&feature=rela
ted
16. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
EXAMPLE 4
Tribute to Appalachian Music History
This is an excellent short movie about Appalachian music history:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLOapUS7t2U&feature=r
elated
17. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
EXAMPLE 5
Spank the Plank
This is an example of traditional Appalachian dance known as
“spank the plank.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4HjuL0_VNw&feature=relate
d
18. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
EXAMPLE 6
Wayfaring Stranger, Strolling Down Memory Lane
Ginnie Grubb sings a traditional Appalachian favorite called
Wayfaring Stranger, Strolling Down Memory Lane.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV3GOr_AMRY
19. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
EXAMPLE 7
Oldtime Porch Music and Flatfoot Dancing
This is an example of classical Appalachian music with foot
stomping dancing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkHeMYn2OxI&feature=relate
d
20. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
EXAMPLE 8
Hobart Smith
This is an example of classical Appalachian music performed by an
old-time Appalachian musician by the name of Hobart Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dCSdfZFTHE
21. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
EXAMPLE 9
Fiddle and Tin Whistle Example
This is an example of a traditional Appalachian song with fiddle and
tin whistle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROOzXdJ7SlY
22. APPALACHIAN MUSIC
EXAMPLE 10
Ada Powers
This is an interview with Ada Powers about the first Appalachian
string band:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1wDEOfx_00&feature=related
23. WORKS CITED
Barnhill, William A., photographer, c1920.
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200152683/def
ault.html
Curtis, Anne, http://ikawtube.com/2011/09/look-whats-
coming-in-phonograph-records/
Ed, Easy, http://www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/as-i-
wait-for-the-postman-to
Mikalac, Norman, http://www.mikalac.com/map/map2.html
24. WORKS CITED
Photo, http://article.wn.com/0.jpg
The McGraw Hill Company,
http://spotlightonmusic.macmillanmh.com/n/teachers/articles
/folk-and-traditional-styles/appalachian-folk-music
Music Clout, http://www.musicclout.com/contents/article-78-
defining-your-style.aspx
Various YouTube videos with full links in slides