First, the birth of country music.

Country music appeared in the 1920s. It originated from the folk music of South China agriculture in the United States, and was first developed under the influence of traditional British folk songs. The earliest country music is traditional folk music, with simple tunes, stable rhythm and strong narrative. Different from the sad pop songs in the city, it has a strong local flavor. The lyrics of folk songs are mainly about hometown, lovelorn, vagrancy and religious belief. Singing is usually solo, sometimes accompanied by violin, banjo, guitar and other accompaniment instruments (before the mid-1950s, traditional country music bands did not have drums). The performance venues are mainly at home, churches and country fairs, and sometimes they will take part in regional tours. Isolated from the cultural life of big cities, it has been in a state of self-isolation.

In the 1920s, in order to cater to the tastes of rural audiences, some radio stations began to play mountain music, such as "National Barn Dance" in Chicago (1924) and "Big Old Opry" in Nashville (1925), which were very popular. This practice encourages musicians in mountainous areas to record on the radio, and also encourages record companies to look for talents everywhere to record records. From then on, mountain music began to blend into the mainstream of American pop music, and the earliest country singers appeared, such as James Rodgers and the Carter family singing group.

James Rodgers (1897 ~ 1933) is regarded as the pioneer of country music, and he was named "the king of country music" because of his combination of blues, folk songs and folk songs. His singing is calm and carefree, forming a unique singing style of the mountain people: "Blue yodel". Although he suffered from lung disease all his life, he never gave up his love for country music. From 1929 to 1933, Rogers recorded 110 songs. 1On May 26th, 933, James Rodgers, who was in his prime just two days after recording, died due to the deterioration of his condition.

The Carter Family (composed of Alvin Carter, 189 1 ~ 1960, his wife and brother-in-law) won the audience's love with its comfortable and harmonious style and focus on family, God and faith. For artists like the Carters, singing is just an amateur way to make a living. But in the initial stage of country music, they did make great contributions to the development of country music, and also left valuable recording materials for early country music.

Second, the swing of the West.

In 1930s, due to the economic depression in the southeastern part of the United States, record sales dropped sharply, and country music could only maintain its audience through a large number of radio programs. At this time, the original singing group was gradually replaced by individual singing. For example, Roy Akov, gene autry and others have become the focus of attention at this time. In this context, Bob Wills from Texas mixed a lot of cowboy songs (a romantic love song from the countryside) and swing music into country music, creating a Westenng style similar to the lineup of "Big Band". 1933, Bob Wells successfully introduced this new style, which combines dance rhythm, violin timbre, big band lineup, jazz singing, drum set and twisted guitar, to the market, thus making it the title of "King of West Swing".

Third, bluegrass music.

In the 1940s, another kind of country music called bluegrass music appeared in the mountains of Kentucky. On the basis of country music, it absorbed the banjo music and violin music of the local ancient corn threshing party, as well as the ballads of the southern mountainous areas.

The singing of bluegrass music is generally multi-voice. In addition to the main theme, a harmony part is often superimposed on it with falsetto, and sometimes a bass part or two is added below the main theme. Its accompaniment instruments feature banjo and violin, and sometimes folk instruments such as mandolin and double bass are used. The characteristics of traditional country music without drum sets have also been preserved in bluegrass music. The speed of bluegrass music is generally faster, about 160-330 beats per minute.

Bluegrass music is influenced by jazz during its development, and there are often gorgeous improvisations in instrumental passages. In the 1970s, when electro-acoustic instruments were widely used in other country music, they still played traditional instruments. Famous bluegrass musicians and bands include: Bluegrass Boy led by Bill Monroe (19 1 1 ~), Osborne Brothers, "Johnson Hill Boy" and.

Fourth, the voice of Nashville.

In 1950s, Nashville became a concentration camp for country music, where most famous country musicians came from. Therefore, "The Voice of Nashville" has also become synonymous with country music.

Before World War II, although country music had been widely spread, it was still a kind of regional music in general. Because of the war, the population movement has accelerated, and people from different cultural backgrounds have more contacts, especially many young people from rural areas in the south, who have moved to cities in the north and the east and west. As a result, the influence of country music has further expanded, and it has become a popular music form with national influence, and it is officially called country music (there was no specific name for country music before), and sometimes it is also called country music and western music.

Many country musicians have contributed to bringing country music out of the south or midwest, among which hank williams is the most important.

Hank williams (1923 ~ 1953) was born in Alabama. In style, he is neither like the southeast harmony style nor the popular western swing music style. He created a depressing but firm singing style. Hank williams's position in the country music industry in the 1940s was just like that of James Rodgers in the 1920s, even higher.

Williams started recording in 1946, and he released a series of songs that hit the pop music market. Such as Acacia Blues, No Tears Tonight, Your Cheating Heart and You Win Again, among which Jambalaya (Case 65438+) is the most famous representative work. Williams also retained some ancient religious elements in his music and created some powerful traditional gospel songs.

1953 On New Year's Day, Williams died of drug overdose in the back seat of his car. Almost all the country singers of his generation are influenced by him, and his works in the country song collection may be more than anyone else.

Since the end of World War II, the prosperity of American society has made country music develop rapidly. For example, at this time, the radio program of "Old-fashioned Grand Theatre" had10 million listeners, and the program of "National Barn Dance" became more and more popular. Nashville's voice began to spread all over the country.

Fifth, the rebellious era of country music.

The 1960s was the most brilliant decade in the history of country music, during which top country musicians like george jones, Johny Cash and Patsy Cline appeared. However, due to the popularity of country music, Nashville's position as a country music center has been challenged. For example, Backsfield in California and Austin in Texas have become one of the future country music centers because of the appearance of famous singers. By the 1970s, country music had become obsolete, so a "rebel movement" changed the traditional mode of country music. The original way that producers choose songs and arrange the production of tracks has met with strong opposition from many people. They demand that they choose their own songs, make their own songs, reflect their own way of thinking and safeguard their publishing rights. Willie Nelson led the "rebel movement".

From 65438 to 0968, producers in Nashville strongly rejected Nelson's fresh personalized music, so William Nelson left Nashville and went to Austin, Texas. There, he started an annual concert, which attracted a group of young people with the same hobbies. Their simple and deep-rooted style and personalized expression make country music present a more complicated situation.

When new concepts are mixed together, an argument arises, "What is country music?"

Kenny rogers, a famous country singer, replied: "Country music is all the music that country people buy." A simple answer perfectly explains the voices of all country musicians, that is, what is country music is not important, but how to make country listeners feel different, fresh and familiar country life experiences.

In view of the complexity of country music, here are three different styles of country music for your reference.

Country blues is a combination of country music and blues music. The representatives are Charlie Ritchie and roy rogers.

Pop country music, that is, mixing more pop music elements into country music, is more easily accepted and loved by people. Representative figures include kenny rogers, Reba McIntyre, etc.

Country rock, that is, the combination of country music and rock music (see the rock music section for details).

Sixth, country singers

As we mentioned earlier, country music is developing continuously, showing a situation far more complicated than folk songs, and the integration of various styles has promoted the prosperity of country music. After the 1970s, country music showed a more active atmosphere, so it was more difficult to classify it in style. However, as the "national pop music" in the United States, it retains the traditional style of mountain music, such as simple tunes, steady rhythm, strong narrative and strong local flavor; When singing, nasal sounds are often used, and sometimes various singing techniques such as sliding sound are used; The accompaniment of traditional banjo and violin is unique. It is with these distinctive personalities that country music has achieved great success in business. Next, I will introduce some country singers who have made great achievements in business.

John denver (john denver)

John denver was born in New Mexico in the southwestern United States. He likes music since he was a child. When he was 8 years old, his grandmother gave him a guitar and began to learn music. He majored in architectural design when he was young. 197 1 year, he gave up his studies and devoted himself to the creation and singing of country songs. At that time, Country Road (case 13), which praised the beautiful scenery of Virginia mountains, became famous at one fell swoop. 1972 entered the TV screen with a song "Loki Mountain High" and became the host of ABC's "Midnight Special Program".

Denver is familiar with country life and loves nature. Most of his songs praise nature and human friendship and good feelings. Because of his simple and beautiful tunes, fresh and exciting contents and poetic and philosophical lyrics, he enjoys the reputation of "Poet Laureate" in Lolado. His guitar playing and singing are even more famous in the world.

1997 10 10 In October, Denver crashed while flying its own private jet, at the age of 54.

John denver's representative works are Country Roads (197 1), Rocky Mountain Heights (1972) and Song of Anne (1974).

Kenny rogers (kenny rogers)

Kenny rogers was born in Houston, Texas. When he was in high school, he studied guitar and violin and played in a mountain rock band called Scholars. 1966, he made his own name? Quot The first edition of the band was dissolved on 1972. From 1976, Rogers turned from hippie style to steady country music road and became an innovator of country music. He integrated a lot of pop music elements into country music, making the two perfectly combined. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Rogers was busy with charity, concerts, TV programs, movies, photography and his fast food chain.

Kenny rogers has a rich voice and a free and easy expression. He likes to sing songs with light, free and narrative rhythm, and sometimes he combines country music with urban moderate rock. Representative works include: Lucille (1977), Lady (1980), Crazy (1983, Case 14) and so on.

George str

George skeat was born in Potty, Texas on May 1952. He was one of the most influential country singers in the 1980s.

Scott grew up on his father's ranch and sometimes helped his father cross the fence and set animals free. When he was a teenager, he began to play music. 197 1 year, Scott was drafted into the army, and 1973 was stationed in Hawaii. The commander of the base wanted to form an army country band, which attracted Scott. He bought a cheap guitar and began to imitate hank williams's records. He named the band "Walking in the Country" and often performed outside the camp.

1975, he returned to his hometown. In order to meet his father's expectations, he entered Southwest Texas Comprehensive University. Quot(Sounthwest Tesxas University), he organized a band while studying for an agricultural degree. 1979 recorded his first album at MCA Records. Since then, Scott has occupied a high position in the rankings for a long time, ranking first in nearly 30 times. By the 1990s, many singers (including garth brooks) regarded him as an example. Scott didn't want to show up, which was much less than other famous singers' interviews, but on 1992, he participated in the performance of the film Pure Country, in which four songs made Scott stand at the forefront of country music.

Scott became the focus of country music. His career is still developing, but now he only spends half a year recording and touring, and the rest time lives in seclusion in his hometown in Texas, riding horses, climbing mountains and spending good time with his family.

Vince gill

Vince Kiel was born as Vince Grant Gill in Norman, Oklahoma on April 1957. His father is a federal judge and can play banjo. Kiel/Kloc-started to learn guitar at the age of 0/0. When he was in middle school, he joined a local country rock band called Shanyan. After graduating from high school, he won a golfer's scholarship, went to college in Louisville, Kentucky, and soon joined a band called Southern Alliance. At this time, he can play not only guitar, but also mandolin, violin and banjo.

1979, Kiel came to Nashville and soon became the star of the music festival. 1984, his songs first entered the top 40 country song charts. Since then, his songs have continuously achieved good results in the charts.

In the 1990s, Kiel left a brilliant footprint. In addition to recording records, he is one of the top ten stars in the concert and won the Best Artist Award of the Country Music Association twice. He said, "I hope someone will remember me. I once cared about the integrity of country music. I also like to be an actor, a composer and a career. Similarly, I care about history, where it started and where it will go. "

Vince Kiel's representative albums are: I still worship you; 1988 signed a contract with Congressional Records. At the end of the year, his first album was produced and published, 1989.

Brooks set foot in music for two years, and then became a famous country singer. Won four awards at 199 1 25th country music awards conference. Then he was named as the best country singer in 1992 and the best pop singer in Crossing the Border, and the singers who won both awards were unprecedented.

Garth brooks's representative albums include garth brooks (1989), No Fence (1990), In Pursuit (199 1) and Hunting (0). 1993), hits (1994) and fresh horses (1995).

Shania Twain

Yue Hua Su Dunn,1born in Ontario, Canada on August 28th, 965, is the most popular representative singer of modern country music after garth brooks in the mid-1990s. Dawn studied guitar, writing and singing since she was a child. In her early days, she performed in bars and clubs all over the country and occasionally appeared on local radio stations. /kloc-0 released her first album "Yue Hua Su Dunn" in 1993, and/kloc-0 won the Grammy Award for Best Country Female Singer in 1996 for a song "Any of My Men".

Although Dunn has made remarkable achievements, she is often criticized coldly by critics because of her hard rock style in music and her bold and sexy exit in MTV. As a country singer, Dunn was the first model to succeed with sex appeal.

Yue Hua Su Dunn's representative songs are: What makes you say that (1993), My Man (1996) and You are the only one for me (1996).

Introduction to jazz

First, the origin of jazz

Jazz has won the audience's love with its dynamic syncopation rhythm, full-featured jazz scale and unconventional improvisation (or singing), and has been recognized by people from all walks of life in the music field. It originated from Bruce and Ragtime. After a whole century of development, it is now colorful and full of flowers. Since the birth of the first jazz record 19 17, it has shown great development potential. New Orleans jazz in the early 20th century, swing music played by big bands in the 1930s, Bibop jazz in the 40s, cold jazz in the late 40s, hard BOPP jazz in the 1950s, free jazz in the 1960s, rock jazz after the 1970s, and then jazz records of different styles merged into a history of jazz development.

1, the source of jazz

Bruce and ragtime

Jazz was gradually formed by improvising in the form of a small wind band on the basis of Bruce and Ragtime, combining some white music elements.

Bruce (Bruce)

Blues is a form of singing created by black people after the Civil War, and its origin has not been verified. But one thing is certain, it is in the same strain as the plantation songs of black people (unaccompanied songs sung collectively during labor). Later, due to the decline of plantation economy, slaves gradually gained freedom and most of them became independent employees, so collective labor songs lost their living environment. At this time, a solo form called "Field Scream" replaced the plantation song, and the most primitive blues form was born. Later, black people came to the city and brought this cry to the city, which had a great influence on all black music. Compared with the early country blues, this primitive form of shouting is almost the same, and it is all formed in improvisation, which is different every time. The only difference is that "shouting in the field" is a release of personal inner feelings, while country blues is usually sung by singers to attract customers when promoting products for businesses. They never imagined that their way of making a living set a template for Bruce's development. Country blues retains the natural sliding characteristics of "field cry", and its paragraphs usually consist of three sentences, but there is no fixed number of paragraphs, so many paragraphs can be improvised, sometimes accompanied by banjo and guitar. Since the country blues appeared before the 20th century, its circulation can only be recorded in words, and there is no recording material (the earliest existing recording material of the blues was produced in 1920). In the 1920s, the most popular blues was classical blues. Compared with country blues, its singing style is more popular. Classical blues is often accompanied by composers, not improvised by singers. Its music form is more regular, often accompanied by jazz bands. During this period, female singers occupied the stage of blues. They often perform with jazz bands and have achieved great success in business. For example, the earliest blues singer Ma (1886 ~ 1939) established her star status during this period. In 1930s, when blacks flocked to industrial centers to make a living, country blues also entered cities, thus forming urban blues with urban characteristics. Urban blues mainly reflects the feelings of urban life. Its structure is fixed, and the 4/4 beat 12 section is divided into three sentences, one sentence for every 4 sections, and the first sentence and the second sentence are repeated. Accompaniment may be a band, and some use the piano, and the accompaniment harmony tends to be standardized.

Form: A | A | B |

Part:1234 | 5678 | 910112.

Harmony: I-| IV-I-| V-I-|

For example, the first paragraph of Memphis Blues published by W.C.Handy at 19 12 (for example, 1).

This form of 12 bar blues provides great freedom for musicians and singers to improvise. In this structural framework, blues can be arbitrarily distinguished by its unique scale and rhythm characteristics. The blues scale is one of the characteristics that can best reflect the blues style. In order to reflect the sadness of blues, we added three flat notes and seven flat notes to the scale of natural major (Example 2). The rhythm of blues is based on triplets, and then it changes constantly (Example 3). Therefore, musicians (or singers) who want to play (or sing) the blues must establish a good triplet concept.

The most famous composer in the history of Bruce is william christopher handy (1873 ~ 1958), who has the title of "the father of Bruce". He combined Bruce with Ragtime, so that Bruce, which was originally only circulated among blacks, was accepted by different classes of listeners. He played a great role in the promotion and spread of Bruce. 1960, the US Postal Service issued his commemorative stamp in recognition of his great contribution to black music.

On the one hand, blues has been absorbed by jazz and become an important part of jazz. On the other hand, as a branch of pop music, it is still developing and continues to influence jazz.

The following are some representatives of different periods in Bruce's history.

Bessie Smith (1894 ~ 1937)

Bessie Smith was the most famous female blues singer in the classical blues period. She was born in Tennessee, USA from 65438 to 0894. At first, Bessie sang in vaudeville classes and nightclubs to make a living. 1923, Flack Volcker, the producer of Columbia Company, discovered her potential and recorded her first record. Unexpectedly, this record sold 2 million copies as soon as it went on the market. Seeing this situation, Columbia Records immediately signed a contract with her and praised her as its top singer. Bessie's songs cover a wide range, including social problems, dissolute humor, straightforward sexual confession and rogue ditty. Because she dominated the trend of blues music in the 1920s, people called her "the Queen of Blues". After 1929, her music career went downhill. In order to win the favor of the white audience, she began to record white pop songs. But at this time, the white music market has been occupied by country singer James Rodgers (see country music section for details). Bessie was no match for Rogers and failed to win the white market. When she looked back, she found that she had lost the black audience again. So she never recorded anything after 1933. 1On September 26th, 937, Bessie was drunk driving, collided with a truck on the expressway, and her arm was torn off from her body alive, and she finally died.

Lemon Jefferson (1897 ~ 1930)

Raymond Jefferson, a blind singer from Texas, is a blues giant. He left 8 1 record for blues music in the late 1920s. Raymond Jefferson was blind since childhood, but he was very talented in music. He taught himself guitar and sang in the street since he was a child. 1926 was a street artist who came to Chicago at the climax of the black people's northward migration. The record dealer soon discovered this talented singer who can play guitar, sing, write lyrics and arrange music-"Raymond the Blind" (as he is called in the Bruce circle). Raymond sings traditional country blues songs. His style is light, and his guitar echoes his singing. His lyrics pay more attention to style, without vulgar words. Driven by the record company, Raymond soon became a household name and won great wealth. But he spent a lot of money on pleasure, wasting it on women and wine. /kloc-one winter night at 0/930, he finished recording his last record and went to a nightclub. For some unknown reason, the driver didn't come to pick him up. He walked home and was found frozen to death in the snow the next day, aged 33.

Charlie Patton (1885 ~ 1934)

Charlie Patton, born in Cleveland, Mississippi Delta, 1885, was a representative figure of the blues music scene in the early 1930s. Barton was sickly and short from childhood, so people called him "Short Barton". Barton taught himself to compose music, absorbed nutrition from his own living environment and created various songs. He reformed the music tradition and strengthened his personality. His song Otawa is related to his own experience. The theme of Bruce-sadness is everywhere in his music. From 65438 to 0929, Barton began to record, but in the overwhelming singing of female blues singers, he sang softly and with a unique style. By the time 1934 died, he had recorded 60 records in five years. Barton's thin body, rich bass, exquisite guitar skills, a large number of records and short artistic career all make him a legend in the history of Bruce.

Muddy water (19 15 ~ 1983)

Marty Waters, 19 15 was born in Rowling fork, Michigan, and was originally named McKinley Morgefield. He is one of the greatest blues musicians between Charlie Barton and B.B. King. Because he once played in muddy water, he got the nickname "Mud". Marty Waters studied harmonica at the age of 65,438+03, guitar at the age of 65,438+07, and went to Chicago at the age of 65,438+0943 to become a master of sliding guitar there. From 65438 to 0944, he began to play electric guitar, performed in clubs at night, worked in paper mills during the day and later worked as a truck driver. From 1946 to 1954, he recorded a number of popular songs with strong reflections, which had a far-reaching impact on R&B. From 1950, almost all Chicago blues stars joined his band. After the 1960s, his music became more mature and professional, and a large number of pianos, harmonicas and drums were added, which made blues accepted by more blacks and whites. They called me Muddy Water, published in 197 1, and won him the first Grammy Award (which was founded in 1958 and awarded once a year, and is the highest award in American music industry). He never stopped recording records before his death, leaving a lot of valuable materials for blues music.

B. Gold (gold)

B.B. King was born in Itabina, Mississippi Delta on September 1925. His original name is B. King (Riley B. King), and he is the most influential and important blues musician in the history of blues. When Jin was a child, he was wandering between his mother and grandmother, and his life was difficult. When he was a teenager, he learned to sing in church. In his musical concept, country music and gospel music had an important influence on him. At the end of 1948, he came to Memphis. Soon, his music was valued by the local radio station, and he also stayed in the radio station to work. When his program was broadcast live on the radio, he was called "Beale Street Blues Boy", later referred to as "Blues Boy" for short, and finally called "B.B.", from which B.B King came. There are pure blues, country music style, pop and rock in B.B. King's works, but each form is mixed with blues. In the 1970s, his concerts attracted audiences of all races and ages. 1985, his 50th album came out, 1987, and he won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. As a master of blues, he still devotes himself to blues music.

John Lee Hooker

John lee hooker was born in Mississippi in 19 17. In the years after World War II, he lived in Detroit and became a top player in the blues circle there. At first, he mainly sang black gospel songs, but he was soon attracted by blues music. Hook's deep voice is particularly noticeable in the crisp guitar sound and dynamic beat. In the 1960s, he combined blues with dance music, rock music and other styles, so that the original Boogie Woogie (a percussion instrument and improvisational blues piano music, which is characterized by the fixed rhythm of the left hand setting off the blues tone of the right hand and producing a strong rhythmic effect) gradually disappeared from him. In the 1970s, his style turned to rock and roll. Like B.B. King, he integrated various musical elements with blues and made indelible contributions to the prosperity of blues music. After 90, the "King of Blues" began to fade out of the stage, spent his old age at home and occasionally participated in some social activities. In 200 1 year, Hook died at the age of 84.

Ragtime music

Ragtime music is the first truly influential music form in American pop music. It was originally a kind of piano music, which prevailed in 19 until the end of World War I, and was replaced by the rise of jazz.

/kloc-New Orleans was very open and free at the end of 0/9, such as the system of open prostitution. In this land, there are many