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Appalachian Music can be best described as the traditional music of the Appalachian region which forms the main root for tertiary branches such as blues, country and some types of classic music. It distinguishes itself from most other music types mainly in the instruments used rather than lyrics.
The region of Appalachia lies on the eastern side of the North American continent stretching from the southern perimeters of New York all the way over parts of Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama and some other states on this side. This predominantly mountain quarter was home to some of the first Irish, French, Scottish and other European settlers in America.
This genre of music borrows heavily from various European and many African influences and traditions. It can be diversified in its use of European ballads, Irish reels and other dance music in addition to the distinct sounds of the banjo from African American slaves.
Appalachian music typically uses instruments such as the fretted dulcimer, banjo, fiddle and guitar. Instruments like the mandolin and autoharp were added in more recent times. This music is a reflection of the traditions of both the European, Scottish, Irish and Welsh immigrants with audibly significant musical notes of the Africans.
Appalachian music has been going through a series of continuous changes from its inception. Initially it was used to entertain as well as to inform people of news of the day or for that matter any specific event or issue in ballad form. Later, during the period of coal mining, Appalachian music was the backdrop of many ballads relating to the protests and problems faced by the miners. In other words it is like most art forms helped in times of hardship to unite the people of the area and to provoke a sense of togetherness.
Although Appalachian music was notably accepted and appreciated in the region it began to spread outside the region and people developed an ear for it. Post World War I, Maud Karpeles and Cecil Sharp both British folklorists contributed immensely to its popularity by touring the region to collect Appalachian songs and ballads. They were successful in collecting as many as 200 old world ballads many of which they published as English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachian. Radio broadcasts and much later television shows also featured the best of this music genre giving it a place of predominance over other select genres.
Today Appalachian music is a library of rare findings and a notable influence over blues, country and classic music. There are a number of festivals such as the Old Time Fiddler’s and Bluegrass Festival, Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, Rhythm and Roots Reunion, Mountain Heritage Day, American Folk Music Festival and the Celebration of Traditional Music Festival to name just a few.
These festivals contribute greatly to the popularity of Appalachian music and some have been held annually since the early 1940s to preserve and promote this primitive yet highly appreciated music form.
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