Traditional Music of North America (MHI2135.01)

John Kirk

This course explores music from early Indigenous music right on up to present day practitioners. Some of the traditions studied and practiced will include: Native American, Inuit, Québecois, Appalachian, African-American, Irish, Scottish, British Isle traditions, Cajun, Blues, Gospel, Mariachi, and Conjunto music. Instrumental, dance, and ballad traditions are studied and researched, and experienced first hand. Students must bring a guitar, banjo, mandolin, or fiddle (or other social instrument) to class for purposes of furthering personal music making through traditional forms. We will practice and perform as a group, improving our reading and aural skills. Other instruments are possible, but the students must discuss this with the instructor.


Learning Outcomes:
• Expanding awareness of traditional folk music and dance forms from an historical viewpoint.
• Learning these music and dance forms through direct, hands on experience.
• Opening and deepening an awareness of multi-cultural originations of these music and dance styles.
• Learning personal music making skills through daily practice.
• Learning to teach yourself how to write, play, and practice as a life long art.


Delivery Method: Remotely accessible
Course Level: 2000-level
Credits: 2
Tu 10:30AM - 12:20PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Course Frequency: Once a year

Categories: All courses , Ethnomusicology , History , Remotely Accessible
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