Module 2

Module 2 explores many facets of American music.  The early 1900s had a lot of technological advances that changed the way music affected the American people.  The transition from acoustic to electric recording with the microphone provided opportunity for sound engineers to manipulate sound.  It also provided the opportunity for performers to go about performing in new ways since the microphone provided amplification.  Some singers did not change their “sound”, but the wider availability of music via phonograph and radio provided more opportunity for the American people to have access to all types of music.  With that being said, the listening examples from this week were quite varied even though technology made hearing all types of music feasible.

“Dippermouth Blues” is a composition written by King Oliver.  This recording was done in 1923 and was one of the first examples of recorded music of the African American jazz tradition from New Orleans.  While King Oliver got his musical beginnings in New Orleans, he moved to Chicago to join another well-established ensemble on the south side.  Louis Armstrong (also from New Orleans) moved and joined the group in Chicago.  An all white band recorded “Tiger Rag” five years before “Dippermouth Blues” and they sound remarkably different.  “Tiger Rag” is much faster than “Dippermouth Blues”.  As I listen to both of these pieces, there seems to be more feeling and finesse in the performance of “Dippermouth Blues” than to “Tiger Rag”.  In my opinion, “Tiger Rag” seems like more a showpiece than to an exhibition of true emotion.  While both recordings have very accomplished musicians, it is clear to me that “Tiger Rag” was meant to evoke sales rather than emotion.  In stark contrast is Duke Ellington’s “East St. Louis Toodle-Oo”.  There is a very different feel to Duke Ellington’s music than most other jazz during this time period.  His music has much more sophisticated sound than the aforementioned pieces.  His musicians have a warmer sound, and a more detailed and musical approach to performing.

Contrary to everything discussed thus far, Tin Pan Alley songs seemed to evoke more romantic emotions from its listeners.  “My Blue Heaven” by Gene Austin is a very easy-going song that is pleasant to listen to.  The piano, cello, and vocalist are all very calming.  While the early jazz pieces mentioned in the previous paragraph made me want to dance, this piece made me want to sing along and envision a love story in my head.

There are clearly a number of different sub-genres occurring within jazz during this time period.  Each has its influence on our current musical situation and are equally important throughout the history of American music.  Some musicians continued performing into subsequent decades and their sound changed along the way because of the advances in technology.  Louis Armstrong is a prime example of a musician that continued to evolve throughout his career.