Music History Part One

How did African American Spirituals differ from Traditional African Music in terms of the instruments used? You must compare the two.

Answer explanation

African American Spirituals used no instruments and use only voice while Traditional African Music uses a wide variety of drums

How did African American Spirituals taught

• by ear and singing

• by reading the music

Answer explanation

African American Spirituals were taught and/or passed on by ear. Nothing was written down

Everything is sung

What are two reasons why African American slaves had to teach music by ear?

Answer explanation

They had no paper & pencils

They couldn't read

They had no instruments

Most African American Spirituals used the musical element ______ and ____________ which involved a leader singing something and the group responding.

True or false, some African American Spirituals were used as a way to secretly spread word for how to escape

• True

• False

Most African American Spirituals' lyrics were about...(select all that apply)

• hardships

• love

• hope

• religion

Write the meaning for each lettered bubble using A. (your words) B. (your words) C. (your words)

Answer explanation

A. Refers to the Big Dipper in the sky, which points North

B. Refers to Underground Railroad Operative, Peg Leg Joe

C. Refers to the days getting longer in springs/summer

D. Refers to quail breeding season, which takes place in April

What was the meaning of 'Wade in the Water'?

Answer explanation

Travel in the water so the dogs would lose your scent

Ragtime originated from the

• South

• North

The King of Ragtime was