Euro American Musics
European music has long influenced American musicians, and American musicians have adopted its traditions with pride. Nowadays, Euro American musics form an integral part of musical culture within the US.
Euro American music falls into four distinct genres, classical, folk, pop and country. Each has their own distinctive sound as well as their own set of European influences.
European Classical Music
European Classical Music (also referred to as Western Art Music) refers to Western musical traditions which reflect aesthetic principles associated with classical art, including such genres as symphonies, concertos and operas.
Though some may find this music boring or difficult to listen to, those with extensive musical knowledge appreciate its beauty and subtlety. Furthermore, they appreciate its influence from various cultures and times which often led to cross-pollination between various pieces.
At this period, time-signatures that signaled rhythm were being developed along with improvements to notation that highlighted note lengths, aiding polyphony with multiple voices being utilized simultaneously.
Palestrina in Italy, Lassus in the Netherlands and Byrd in England were instrumental in shaping this period with their compositions that demonstrated humanity’s ability to express faith with greater intensity than any previous century.
African American Music
African American music refers to a broad genre and style of musical traditions found among Black people that were developed through or were influenced by them, and has become one of the most significant ethnic vernacular traditions in America.
The first of these musical forms first emerged in the South during the eighteenth century as an African American response to slavery and subsequent emancipation.
Spirituals were especially popular among southern blacks as a form of group religious music that expressed sorrow, hope for freedom and the new Christian faith they had discovered.
African American music encompasses numerous subgenres such as ragtime, jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, R&B and Hip Hop which were all widely popular during the twentieth century among blacks.
American Folk Music
American folk music encompasses an expansive variety of songs and traditions that reflect its rich cultural history – particularly during times of struggle and difficulty.
Traditional music is typically transmitted orally and does not demand as much formal or intellectual effort to understand as art or popular music. Additionally, traditional tunes often co-occur with other activities, including calendric or lifecycle rituals, work, games, enculturation or folk religion practices.
Folk music in Europe and America dates back centuries. Early ballads provided people with insight into politics, relationships and family life.
Folk music became especially important during periods of political distress such as the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. Folk songs offered people hope while uniting communities.
American Pop Music
Pop music has long been an integral part of American culture, reflecting people’s hopes and aspirations across generations.
American Pop Music draws upon multiple genres and influences such as jazz, rock, R&B, and funk music, which has been shaped by advances in recording technology and record producers.
Music is also greatly impacted by the lyrics of singers; their songs often revolve around love or life themes; however, other topics could also come up.
Pop music can be distinguished from other forms by its use of simple musical techniques, including odd time signatures and refrains. Furthermore, it may have more visual associations than classical or jazz forms of music.