Education
Music 271: 3/12/07II: The Acculturative Process: African-American adaptations of European traditions and instruments: A: The simultaneous preservation of African musical practices and values:• “Turkey in the Straw” - Fiddle tune fondly remembered by former slaves B: African-American musical activity during the ante-bellum period: why was the violin so appealing (Part II): (GB p. 63-64)• Fiddle is capable of playing music from the West African traditions• Possible for a fiddler to swing, play blue notes• Africans had a bowed string instrument back in their homeland (Called: Gonje, Goge, Riti)• Used to waken the chief, alert the village etc.• Fiddle = 4-stringed gonje from the African viewpoint C: Returning the favor: black influences upon white music in the southern Appalachians:• Blacks taught the whites how to play the fiddle more rhythmically than previously• Documentary notes:• First encounter of a fiddle by a white Appalachian• Meeting point for cultures• Ballad of John Henry - “Steel driving man”• Dancing - Played for square dances, waltzes et al.1. American vernacular dancing: another arena of acculturation:• Combines European dances with the African steps• Movement begins at the hips and the two halves of the body (upper and lower) move against that