Influence of Song/Dance music of Ireland on North American folk music Flashcards
Introduction and immigration, What influence it had in America
After the Great Famine, hundreds of thousands of Irish people immigrated to America.Had impact on the Folk music in North America such as Blues.
Evidence of Irish immigration
Many people in Newfoundland still have Waterford surnames and speak with Waterford accents.
Irish Song that travelled with immigrants
Many trad songs, such as “Rose Connolly”,(noted down in 1811 by Edward Bunting from a singer in Northern Ireland), travelled to America with the immigrants.
New types of songs developed
A new repertoire developed from these immigrant experiences; railroad songs, lumber jack songs, work songs, songs of love and songs of home.
Examples of Irish structure in American songs
North American folk music can be seen to resemble Irish tunes in structure and style. In French-Canadian piece, “St. Anne’s Reel” and “Fred Finn’s Polka” Irish structures are evident and also Irish style ornamentation such as slides and double stops.
Listening for similarities with ornamentation
When I listened to various Irish music and Appalachien music (a region of north america) I heard similarities such as double stopping on the violin, ornamentation and singing in a nasal tone.
Canadian fiddling tradition comparison to Irish dance
“Drops of Brandy”, which was on Irish slip jig now exists with different time signatures in the Métís fiddling tradition in Canada.
Irish dance music and Athabaskan dance
There are also similarities to be found between Athabaskan dance music and Irish Music as Set dancing is popular in both traditions.
Michael Coleman influence
Michael Coleman, from Co. Sligo, had a huge impact in America and Ireland with his music. His regional style has influenced generations of fiddle players. Many Jigs in Cape Breton date back to Irish immigrant settlers and jigs, reels, marches and slow airs are still ornamented with grace notes and trebling.
Ending influence and fusion with other styles
Irish music has changed American folk music and tradition greatly, and fused with many other music such as English and Scottish in the process.
Americans have grown used to Influence of Irish music
Irish traditional music has had such an influence that many cultural groups believe Irish music to be “theirs”.
Summary
- Introduction and immigration
- Songs brought to America, Examples of Irish structure, ornamentation in America
- Fiddling tradition in Canada and Dance music- Jig influence of Michael Coleman
- Ending influence and fusion
