5.1 Appalachian folk music

Appalachian folk music blends diverse traditions from European settlers, African Americans, and Native Americans. This unique sound developed in isolated mountain communities, combining ballads, fiddle tunes, and spirituals from various cultural backgrounds.

The music features string instruments like fiddle, banjo, and guitar, with distinctive vocal styles. It encompasses old-time, bluegrass, and sacred music, reflecting the region's rich cultural heritage and continuing to influence American music today.

Origins of Appalachian folk music

• Appalachian folk music has diverse roots, blending musical traditions brought to the region by various ethnic groups
• The unique sound and style of Appalachian folk developed from the interaction and exchange between these different musical cultures in the isolated mountain communities

Influence of European settlers

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• Early Scots-Irish and English settlers in Appalachia brought traditional ballads, fiddle tunes, and folk songs from the British Isles
• These musical traditions were preserved and adapted in the mountains, forming the foundation of old-time string band music
• Instruments like the fiddle, dulcimer, and later the guitar were introduced by European immigrants and became central to Appalachian folk

African American musical traditions

• Enslaved Africans brought to the region contributed rich musical traditions, including work songs, spirituals, and blues
• The banjo, a key instrument in Appalachian music, has origins in West African gourd instruments and was popularized by Black musicians
• Call and response singing, syncopated rhythms, and blue notes from African American music heavily influenced the sound of Appalachian folk

Native American contributions

• Cherokee and other Native American tribes indigenous to the Appalachian region also shaped the musical traditions
• Some fiddle tunes, rhythms, and vocal styles in Appalachian folk show influence from Native American music
• Interaction and cultural exchange between Native Americans, European settlers, and African Americans in Appalachia created a unique musical blend

Instruments in Appalachian folk music

• The instrumentation in Appalachian folk music is characterized by a string band format, typically featuring fiddle, banjo, guitar, and sometimes mandolin or dulcimer
• These acoustic instruments were well-suited to the informal, participatory nature of music-making in Appalachian communities

Fiddle as centerpiece

• The fiddle is the lead melodic instrument in most Appalachian folk styles, carrying the main tune
• Appalachian fiddling incorporates ornamentation, slides, and double-stops to create a distinctive sound
• Regional fiddle styles developed in Appalachia, like the smooth slurred bowing of Kentucky fiddling or the syncopated shuffle bowing of North Carolina

Banjo styles and techniques

• The banjo adds a driving rhythmic component with its percussive plucking and strumming
• Clawhammer or frailing style, featuring a downward striking motion, is common in old-time music
• Three-finger picking style, popularized by Earl Scruggs, became a defining element of bluegrass banjo

Guitar accompaniment

• The guitar provides harmonic and rhythmic support, often played in a finger-picked or strummed style
• Bass runs, boom-chuck strumming, and walking bass lines are common guitar techniques in Appalachian folk
• Flat-picking guitar style, with rapid single-note melodies, emerged in the mid-20th century and is prominent in bluegrass

Mandolin and dulcimer

• The mandolin, with its tremolo and chording, adds texture and rhythm to string band arrangements
• Appalachian dulcimer, a three or four stringed lap zither, has a droning, modal sound well-suited to traditional ballads and hymns
• Less common instruments like the autoharp, harmonica, and spoons also appear in some Appalachian folk music

Vocal traditions in Appalachian folk

• Singing is a central part of Appalachian folk music, with many songs passed down through oral tradition
• Appalachian vocal styles are often characterized by a nasal timbre, high lonesome harmonies, and emotional expressiveness

Ballads and storytelling

• Traditional ballads, often originating from the British Isles, tell stories of love, heartbreak, murder, and historical events
• Appalachian ballad singers often use an emotionally reserved, stark delivery to emphasize the narrative
• Storytelling through song is a key part of Appalachian culture, preserving family and community history

Shape-note and sacred harp singing

• Shape-note singing, a tradition of sacred choral music, is common in Appalachian churches and communities
• Singers use hymnals with shaped noteheads, allowing them to sight-read and sing complex four-part harmonies
• Sacred Harp, a specific shape-note style using the "fa-so-la" solfege system, features raw, powerful vocal timbres and driving rhythms

Call and response songs

• Call and response, a style rooted in African musical traditions, is used in many Appalachian folk songs and spirituals
• A leader sings a line or verse, with the group responding in unison or harmony
• This participatory singing style reflects the communal music-making practices of Appalachian culture

Harmonies and vocal blending

• Appalachian folk music often features close, high lonesome harmonies, with voices blending in intervals of thirds, fourths, and fifths
• Duet harmony singing, with two voices moving in parallel motion, is common in old-time and bluegrass music
• Family harmony groups like the Carter Family developed a distinctive sound that influenced later country and folk artists

Styles of Appalachian folk music

• Appalachian folk music encompasses a range of styles and sub-genres, each with its own characteristics and historical development
• These styles reflect the diverse influences and regional variations within Appalachian music traditions

Old-time string band music

• Old-time music is a traditional style predating bluegrass, characterized by a heterophonic texture and emphasis on rhythm and drive
• Fiddle and banjo are the core instruments, often accompanied by guitar, mandolin, or bass
• Regional old-time styles developed in different parts of Appalachia, like the Round Peak style of North Carolina or the West Virginia scratch style

Bluegrass vs old-time

• Bluegrass emerged in the mid-20th century, blending elements of old-time, blues, and jazz into a more polished, virtuosic style
• Bluegrass features faster tempos, complex instrumental solos, and smooth three-part vocal harmonies, exemplified by artists like Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers
• While bluegrass and old-time share instrumentation and some repertoire, they differ in aesthetic, with bluegrass emphasizing individual virtuosity and old-time focusing on communal participation

Country blues influence

• Appalachian folk music absorbed elements of country blues, particularly through the influence of African American musicians in the region
• Blues tonality, sliding notes, and syncopated rhythms can be heard in many Appalachian folk songs and instrumental tunes
• Blind Lemon Jefferson, Leadbelly, and other country blues musicians had a significant impact on the development of Appalachian folk and later country music

Appalachian folk hymns and spirituals

• Sacred music, including hymns, spirituals, and gospel songs, is a significant part of the Appalachian folk tradition
• These songs often use modal melodies, simple harmonies, and repetitive refrains, reflecting the influence of shape-note singing and African American spirituals
• Appalachian folk hymns like "Amazing Grace" and "What Wondrous Love Is This" have become part of the wider American sacred music repertoire

Social context of Appalachian folk music

• Appalachian folk music is deeply intertwined with the social and cultural life of the region, reflecting the values, experiences, and traditions of mountain communities
• Music served important functions in Appalachian society, from entertainment and socializing to worship and cultural expression

Role in rural communities

• In the isolated, rural communities of Appalachia, music was a vital form of entertainment and social bonding
• Playing music together fostered a sense of community identity and solidarity in the face of economic and social challenges
• Music was often a family affair, with skills and repertoire passed down through generations

Music at social gatherings and dances

• Square dances, house parties, and other social gatherings were important occasions for music-making in Appalachian communities
• String bands provided music for dancing, with tunes like "Soldier's Joy" and "Cumberland Gap" popular at these events
• Informal jam sessions and porch performances were also common, allowing musicians to share tunes and techniques

Transmission of traditions

• Appalachian folk music was largely an oral tradition, with songs and tunes learned by ear and passed down through families and communities
• The isolation of mountain communities helped preserve older musical styles and repertoire that might have been lost or transformed in more urban areas
• The arrival of recording technology and radio in the early 20th century began to change the way Appalachian music was transmitted and disseminated

Appalachian folk music today

• Despite the modernization of Appalachian society, folk music traditions continue to be practiced and celebrated in the region
• Festivals, workshops, and jam sessions provide opportunities for musicians to share and learn traditional styles
• Younger generations of Appalachian musicians are preserving and innovating upon the folk traditions, often incorporating influences from contemporary genres

Impact of Appalachian folk music

• Appalachian folk music has had a profound influence on the development of other American musical genres and on popular culture more broadly
• The legacy of Appalachian folk can be heard in the work of countless artists and in the enduring popularity of traditional music festivals and events

Influence on country and bluegrass

• Appalachian folk music, particularly the old-time and bluegrass styles, played a crucial role in the development of country music
• Early country stars like Jimmie Rodgers, the Carter Family, and Roy Acuff drew heavily on Appalachian musical traditions
• Bluegrass, which emerged from Appalachian folk roots, has become a distinct genre with a global following, exemplified by artists like Alison Krauss and Ricky Skaggs

Folk revival of 1960s

• The folk music revival of the 1960s brought renewed interest in Appalachian musical traditions
• Artists like Pete Seeger, Doc Watson, and Jean Ritchie helped popularize Appalachian folk songs and styles among a new generation of listeners
• The revival also sparked a renewed interest in the social and political themes of Appalachian music, with songs like "Which Side Are You On?" becoming anthems of the labor and civil rights movements

Preservation and heritage festivals

• Efforts to preserve and celebrate Appalachian musical heritage have led to the establishment of numerous festivals and cultural institutions
• The Appalachian String Band Music Festival in Clifftop, West Virginia, and the Old Fiddlers' Convention in Galax, Virginia, are among the most prominent events showcasing traditional music
• Organizations like the Appalachian Regional Commission and Appalshop work to document, support, and promote Appalachian culture, including its musical traditions

Appalachian folk music in popular culture

• Appalachian folk music has left an indelible mark on American popular culture, influencing film soundtracks, television shows, and commercial music
• The soundtrack to the Cohen Brothers' film "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" featured Appalachian folk songs and introduced the music to a new audience
• Artists like Dolly Parton, Gillian Welch, and Old Crow Medicine Show have brought Appalachian musical elements into mainstream popularity
• The enduring appeal of Appalachian folk music reflects its ability to evoke a sense of place, history, and shared cultural identity