Popular Music in 1900Popular Music in 1900

Race and RomanceRace and Romance

MinstrelsyMinstrelsy

The Minstrel ShowThe Minstrel Show– Featured mainly Featured mainly

white performers white performers who artificially who artificially blackened their skin blackened their skin and carried out and carried out parodies of African parodies of African American music, American music, dance, dress, and dance, dress, and dialectdialect

MinstrelsyMinstrelsy From the 1840s through From the 1840s through

the 1880s, the the 1880s, the predominant genre in predominant genre in the United States the United States

An important influence An important influence on the mainstream of on the mainstream of American popular songAmerican popular song

Minstrel troupes toured Minstrel troupes toured the United States the United States constantly, helping constantly, helping create a national create a national popular culture.popular culture.

The Birth of Tin Pan AlleyThe Birth of Tin Pan Alley By the end of the By the end of the

nineteenth century, the nineteenth century, the American music publishing American music publishing business had become business had become centered in New York City.centered in New York City.

After 1885, the established After 1885, the established publishers were being publishers were being challenged by smaller challenged by smaller companies specializing in companies specializing in the more exciting popular the more exciting popular songs performed in dance songs performed in dance halls, beer gardens, and halls, beer gardens, and theaters.theaters.

The Birth of Tin Pan AlleyThe Birth of Tin Pan Alley These new publishing firmsThese new publishing firms

—many of them founded by —many of them founded by Jewish immigrants from Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe—had Eastern Europe—had offices in a section of lower offices in a section of lower Manhattan, a dense hive of Manhattan, a dense hive of small rooms with pianos small rooms with pianos where composers and where composers and “song pluggers” produced “song pluggers” produced and promoted popular and promoted popular songs.songs.

This stretch of 28th Street This stretch of 28th Street became known as became known as Tin Pan Tin Pan AlleyAlley,, a term that evoked a term that evoked the clanging sound of many the clanging sound of many pianos simultaneously pianos simultaneously playing songs in a variety playing songs in a variety of keys and tempos.of keys and tempos.

Vaudeville Vaudeville Theatrical form Theatrical form

descended from music descended from music hall shows and hall shows and minstrelsy minstrelsy

By the turn of the By the turn of the century, it had become century, it had become the most important the most important medium for popularizing medium for popularizing Tin Pan Alley songs. Tin Pan Alley songs.

Vaudeville shows Vaudeville shows typically consisted of a typically consisted of a series of performances series of performances presented one after the presented one after the other without any other without any overarching story line.overarching story line.

The Birth of Tin Pan AlleyThe Birth of Tin Pan Alley

The 1890s saw the The 1890s saw the rise of the modern rise of the modern American music American music business.business.

Sheet music sold for Sheet music sold for between twenty-five between twenty-five and sixty cents.and sixty cents.

The wholesale value of The wholesale value of printed music in the printed music in the United States more United States more than tripled between than tripled between 1890 and 1909. 1890 and 1909.

“After the Ball”“After the Ball” Harris paid a well-known singer in a traveling Harris paid a well-known singer in a traveling

theater production to incorporate “After the Ball” theater production to incorporate “After the Ball” into his performance. into his performance.

It soon became the most popular part of the play, It soon became the most popular part of the play, and audiences requested that it be repeated and audiences requested that it be repeated several times during each performance.several times during each performance.

Harris published the song himself and was soon Harris published the song himself and was soon clearing around twenty-five thousand dollars a clearing around twenty-five thousand dollars a month. month.

““After the Ball” was performed by John Philip After the Ball” was performed by John Philip Sousa’s band at the World’s Columbian Exposition Sousa’s band at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893).in Chicago (1893).

Ragtime Music Ragtime Music

Emerged in the 1880s Emerged in the 1880s Its popularity peaked in the decade Its popularity peaked in the decade

after the turn of the century.after the turn of the century. Ragtime initially was a piano music Ragtime initially was a piano music

but gradually came to identify any but gradually came to identify any syncopated music. syncopated music.

The term “ragtime” was used to The term “ragtime” was used to describe any music that contained describe any music that contained syncopation. syncopation.

Ragtime MusicRagtime Music The word derives from the African American The word derives from the African American

term “to rag,” meaning to enliven a piece of term “to rag,” meaning to enliven a piece of music by shifting melodic accents onto the music by shifting melodic accents onto the offbeats (a technique known as syncopation).offbeats (a technique known as syncopation).

It began as an obscure folk-dance music It began as an obscure folk-dance music played up and down the Mississippi valley played up and down the Mississippi valley during last quarter of the nineteenth century. during last quarter of the nineteenth century.

Ragtime energized popular music in America Ragtime energized popular music in America by adding rhythmic vitality (syncopation) to by adding rhythmic vitality (syncopation) to the music. the music.

The BanjoThe Banjo

A stringed instrument developed by slave A stringed instrument developed by slave musicians from African prototypes during the musicians from African prototypes during the early colonial period.early colonial period.

The basic patterns of ragtime music were The basic patterns of ragtime music were transferred from the banjo.transferred from the banjo.

Ragtime SongsRagtime Songs

Coon songCoon song– Popular among white audiences from Popular among white audiences from

the 1890s until World War Ithe 1890s until World War I– Usually accompanied by a simplified Usually accompanied by a simplified

version of the syncopated rhythms of version of the syncopated rhythms of ragtime piano musicragtime piano music

“All Coons Look Alike to Me”“All Coons Look Alike to Me” The first piece of The first piece of

sheet music to bear sheet music to bear the term “rag”the term “rag”

Composed by the Composed by the African American African American songwriter Ernest songwriter Ernest HoganHogan

Published (complete Published (complete with racist with racist caricatures on the caricatures on the cover) in 1896 cover) in 1896

Ragtime SongsRagtime Songs

The growing market for ragtime The growing market for ragtime songs at the turn of the century songs at the turn of the century suggests a continuation of the white suggests a continuation of the white fascination with African American fascination with African American music first seen in minstrelsy.music first seen in minstrelsy.

Most popular ragtime songs were Most popular ragtime songs were vigorous march-style songs with a vigorous march-style songs with a few “irregular” rhythms added for few “irregular” rhythms added for effect.effect.

Scott Joplin (1868–1917)Scott Joplin (1868–1917) The most famous ragtime The most famous ragtime

composer of the eracomposer of the era Best known for his piano Best known for his piano

ragsrags Born in TexasBorn in Texas Began to play piano Began to play piano

around the town of around the town of Texarkana during his teens Texarkana during his teens and received instruction in and received instruction in classical music theory from classical music theory from a German teacher a German teacher

His first regular job as a His first regular job as a pianist was in a cafe in St. pianist was in a cafe in St. Louis. Louis.

Scott Joplin (1868–1917)Scott Joplin (1868–1917)

Developed a “ragging” piano style, Developed a “ragging” piano style, improvising around the themes of improvising around the themes of popular songs and marches in a popular songs and marches in a syncopated stylesyncopated style

Between 1895 and 1915, Joplin Between 1895 and 1915, Joplin composed many of the classics of the composed many of the classics of the ragtime repertoireragtime repertoire

Helped popularize the style through Helped popularize the style through his piano arrangements, published as his piano arrangements, published as sheet music sheet music

Scott Joplin (1868–1917)Scott Joplin (1868–1917)

Joplin’s rags were also widely heard Joplin’s rags were also widely heard on player pianos. on player pianos.

Player pianos were elaborate Player pianos were elaborate mechanical devices activated by mechanical devices activated by piano rolls—spools of paper with piano rolls—spools of paper with punched holes that controlled the punched holes that controlled the movement of the piano’s keys.movement of the piano’s keys.

“Maple Leaf Rag” (1898)“Maple Leaf Rag” (1898)

Scott Joplin’s first successful pieceScott Joplin’s first successful piece Named after the Maple Leaf social club Named after the Maple Leaf social club

in Sedalia, where he often playedin Sedalia, where he often played The piece was published in 1899 and The piece was published in 1899 and

became a huge hit, spreading Joplin’s became a huge hit, spreading Joplin’s fame to Europe and beyond. fame to Europe and beyond.

““Maple Leaf” started a nationwide Maple Leaf” started a nationwide craze for syncopated music. craze for syncopated music.

The Golden Age of Tin Pan The Golden Age of Tin Pan Alley SongAlley Song

During the 1920s and 1930s, certain During the 1920s and 1930s, certain characteristic musical structures and styles characteristic musical structures and styles of performance dominated popular song. of performance dominated popular song.

Professional tunesmiths wrote some of the Professional tunesmiths wrote some of the most influential and commercially most influential and commercially successful songs of the period.successful songs of the period.

The potential for fame and financial The potential for fame and financial success on a previously unknown scale success on a previously unknown scale lured composers and lyricists with diverse lured composers and lyricists with diverse skills and backgrounds.skills and backgrounds.

Jewish ImmigrantsJewish Immigrants

From Central and Eastern EuropeFrom Central and Eastern Europe Played a central role in the music Played a central role in the music

business during the early twentieth business during the early twentieth century as composers, lyricists, century as composers, lyricists, performers, publishers, and performers, publishers, and promoterspromoters

Irving BerlinIrving Berlin Born Israel, or Isadore, Born Israel, or Isadore,

BalineBaline The most productive, The most productive,

varied, and creative of the varied, and creative of the Tin Pan Alley songwritersTin Pan Alley songwriters

His professional songwriting His professional songwriting career started before World career started before World War I and continued into War I and continued into the 1960s.the 1960s.

It has been said that Berlin It has been said that Berlin often composed from three often composed from three to seven songs a week.to seven songs a week.

In 1969, the catalog of In 1969, the catalog of Irving Berlin compositions Irving Berlin compositions still available in print still available in print included 899 songs. included 899 songs.

Irving BerlinIrving Berlin

His most famous songs includeHis most famous songs include““Alexander’s Ragtime Band,”Alexander’s Ragtime Band,”

““Blue Skies,” Blue Skies,”

““Cheek to Cheek,” Cheek to Cheek,”

““There’s No Business Like Show Business,”There’s No Business Like Show Business,”

““White Christmas,” andWhite Christmas,” and

““God Bless America.”God Bless America.”

George Gershwin (1898–George Gershwin (1898–1937) 1937)

His songs set new His songs set new standards in standards in excellence in terms of excellence in terms of harmonic complexity harmonic complexity and melodic flow. and melodic flow.

More classically More classically trained and ambitious trained and ambitious than other songwriters than other songwriters

Sought and achieved Sought and achieved success in the world of success in the world of concert music and concert music and popular music popular music

Influenced by jazz and Influenced by jazz and bluesblues

““Alexander’s Ragtime Band” Alexander’s Ragtime Band”

Published in 1911Published in 1911 The song that first The song that first

brought Berlin mass brought Berlin mass acclaimacclaim

Actually had little to Actually had little to do with ragtime as do with ragtime as performed by the performed by the great black ragtime great black ragtime pianists of the daypianists of the day

Sold 1.5 million copies Sold 1.5 million copies almost immediatelyalmost immediately

Broadway and FilmBroadway and Film Berlin wrote songs for the Broadway stage and for Berlin wrote songs for the Broadway stage and for

sound film. sound film. ““Blue Skies,” performed by Al Jolson in the first Blue Skies,” performed by Al Jolson in the first

talkie, talkie, The Jazz SingerThe Jazz Singer Wrote the entire score for the Marx Brothers’ Wrote the entire score for the Marx Brothers’

debut movie, debut movie, The Cocoanuts, The Cocoanuts, in 1929 in 1929 The 1942 film The 1942 film Holiday InnHoliday Inn introduced “White introduced “White

Christmas.” Christmas.” The 1946 Broadway musical The 1946 Broadway musical Annie Get Your GunAnnie Get Your Gun Berlin was the most prolific and consistent of Tin Berlin was the most prolific and consistent of Tin

Pan Alley composers.Pan Alley composers.– His songwriting career spanned almost sixty years.His songwriting career spanned almost sixty years.

Tin Pan Alley Song FormTin Pan Alley Song Form

Song forms inherited from the Song forms inherited from the nineteenth centurynineteenth century

The AABA structure The AABA structure Verse-and-chorus form of “After the Verse-and-chorus form of “After the

Ball” Ball” – Verse-refrain form, with an AABA refrainVerse-refrain form, with an AABA refrain

Tin Pan Alley song form had two major Tin Pan Alley song form had two major sections: the verse and the sections: the verse and the refrain/chorus. refrain/chorus.

Listening: “My Blue Heaven,” Listening: “My Blue Heaven,” performed by Gene Austin performed by Gene Austin

(1927)(1927) Austin was one of the first “crooners”Austin was one of the first “crooners”

– Singers who mastered the intimate style of singing Singers who mastered the intimate style of singing made possible with the electric microphone. made possible with the electric microphone.

This recording was one of the bestselling records This recording was one of the bestselling records of the era. of the era.

Form: verse-refrainForm: verse-refrain– IntroductionIntroduction– Verse: two sections of equal length with nearly identical Verse: two sections of equal length with nearly identical

music music – Refrain: four sections, AABARefrain: four sections, AABA——the “A” sections all end the “A” sections all end

with the words “my blue heaven”with the words “my blue heaven”– The “B” section, or “bridge” or “release,” provides The “B” section, or “bridge” or “release,” provides

variety.variety.

Listening: “My Blue Heaven,” Listening: “My Blue Heaven,” performed by Gene Austin performed by Gene Austin

(1927)(1927) The song depicts the deepest The song depicts the deepest

aspirations of the Tin Pan Alley aspirations of the Tin Pan Alley listening public.listening public.

The lyrics poetically reinforce a The lyrics poetically reinforce a familiar and comfortable motif of the familiar and comfortable motif of the American dream: home and family. American dream: home and family.

Gene Austin’s performance reinforces Gene Austin’s performance reinforces the sentiments expressed in the lyrics: the sentiments expressed in the lyrics: quiet intimacy and tranquility.quiet intimacy and tranquility.

Listening: “April Showers,” Listening: “April Showers,” performed by Al Jolson (1921) performed by Al Jolson (1921)

This recording reveals This recording reveals the sound and style of the sound and style of the premicrophone the premicrophone period. period.

Jolson’s singing style Jolson’s singing style reflects the reflects the performance performance techniques used on the techniques used on the vaudeville stage. vaudeville stage.

His vocal style was His vocal style was declamatory rather declamatory rather than lyrical. than lyrical.

Form: verse-refrain Form: verse-refrain (ABAC structure) (ABAC structure)

What Are Tin Pan Alley Songs What Are Tin Pan Alley Songs About?About?

Predominately aimed at white, urban Predominately aimed at white, urban middle- and upper-middle-class middle- and upper-middle-class AmericansAmericans

Said little in the way of social or Said little in the way of social or political commentarypolitical commentary

Were generally escapistWere generally escapist Privacy and romancePrivacy and romance

Tin Pan Alley and BroadwayTin Pan Alley and Broadway

Mutually beneficial Mutually beneficial relationship relationship between Tin Pan between Tin Pan Alley Songs and Alley Songs and Broadway showsBroadway shows

Close proximity Close proximity Fruitful relationship Fruitful relationship

in the 1920s and in the 1920s and 1930s 1930s

The so-called The so-called Golden Age of Tin Golden Age of Tin Pan Alley song Pan Alley song

What Makes a Song a What Makes a Song a Standard? Standard?

StandardsStandards– Songs that remain Songs that remain

an essential part of an essential part of the repertoire of the repertoire of today’s jazz today’s jazz musicians and pop musicians and pop singerssingers

– Possess a continuing Possess a continuing appeal that appeal that surpasses nostalgiasurpasses nostalgia

– Tin Pan Alley Tin Pan Alley composers produced composers produced many standards.many standards.

Rock ’n’ RollRock ’n’ Roll

When rock ’n’ roll When rock ’n’ roll took over the pop took over the pop charts in the later charts in the later 1950s, the 1950s, the connection connection between Broadway between Broadway and mainstream and mainstream popular song had popular song had completely completely dissolved. dissolved.

Conclusion Conclusion

Popular song both reflected and helped Popular song both reflected and helped shape the profound changes in American shape the profound changes in American society during the 1920s and 1930s. society during the 1920s and 1930s.

The intermixing of high and low culturesThe intermixing of high and low cultures The adoption of new technologiesThe adoption of new technologies The expansion of corporate music industryThe expansion of corporate music industry The increasingly intimate interaction of white and The increasingly intimate interaction of white and

black cultures during a period of strong racismblack cultures during a period of strong racism The emergence of a truly national popular cultureThe emergence of a truly national popular culture

ConclusionConclusion

Tin Pan Alley and the singing style Tin Pan Alley and the singing style known as crooning were important known as crooning were important influences on rhythm & blues and influences on rhythm & blues and rock ’n’ roll during the 1950s and rock ’n’ roll during the 1950s and 1960s.1960s.

Many Tin Pan Alley songs are still Many Tin Pan Alley songs are still used by contemporary jazz used by contemporary jazz musicians as a basis for musicians as a basis for improvising.improvising.