Why did the United States develop a style of music so di erent from Europe?
After listening to Dvorak, follow the listening guides in Chapters 12 and 14, which present nationalist music from Russia (Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition) and Bohemia (Smetana: The Moldau): Do you nd any di erences between what is considered Bohemian, Russian, and American sounds? What elements are used to create these di erences?
Choose a piece of music that you think best depicts America or an American story or ideal. What musical elements (aside from lyrics) create what might be called the "American" sound? (Popular, folk, patriotic, or other genres such as jazz or ragtime may be used, but you must explain why it sounds "American" using musical elements.)
In responding to your peers, o er additional suggestions on the work they chose. Do you agree or disagree with their assessment of the use of musical elements?
My Post:
Hello Everyone,
In general, Europe has had many more years in culture development. Music has had much more me to develop, change, and get its own sense of style. Not only that, but America was a bit isolated to the rest of the world. Countries in Europe were close together and could in uence each other. America, however, was on the other side of the world. Not that it was totally isolated of course, but the in uence
just wasn't the same. I think there is a di erence between the American sounds and the Bohemian and Russian. To me, the American sounds more Patrio c and has a wishful type of feeling. The Bohemian and Russian also feel patrio c, but also Iled with pride for their country. The instruments and pauses of sweet sounds in the American one makes it sound more wishful. At least to me haha.
Speaking of patrio sm, na onalism, and pride...what could put this all together more than some good old American country music? The song that to mind for this is My Town - Montgomery Gentry. Star ng o with how this genre of music, country, originated in the early twen eth century in America. So, it already has its own unique sound making it an "authen c" American. This sound is a combina on of folk, bluegrass, blues, and rural dance music. In this par cular song, what makes it sound American to me is the tempo and rhythm used, and the banjo. The banjo just gives it that certain feel. I did a bit of research and found out that the modern banjo is actually of North American origin, which is cool to know. The electric guitar is also of American origin and is also incorporated into this song.
Banjos. (2017). Banjo History Notes. h ps://www.banjos.com/banjo-history- notes-i/
Master Class. (2021). Country Music Guide: History and Sounds of Country Music hps://www.masterclass.com/ar cles/country-music-guide
Norton Center. (2017). The Origins of Country Music. Norton Center for the Arts. h ps://nortoncenter.com/2017/03/19/the-origins-of-country- music/#:~:text=Countryff20musicff20originatedff20inff20the,European ff20immigrantsff20whoff20se ledff20nearby
In responding to your peers, o er