Introduction

In units 4 and 5 of Popular Music in America, popular music becomes more sophisticated and, for lack of a better term, modern.

In the Modern Era (beginning in 1914 and ending in the early 1960s) we see a rapid change in technology and the way Americans (and Canadians) relied on technology; this is reflected in the sound of the music and the way it is presented and distributed. The music of the Modern Era created many of the templates we are still working with today – including backbeat and less formal lyrics.

Women in Canada gained the right to vote between 1914 and 1919; in the US, they were able to vote by 1920. As women gained equality, and social values changed, dance fads reflected those changing values by becoming more lively. Lyrics of popular song became less formal and more conversational; blues became mainstream; and song interpretation evolved.

In many ways, that first big push of modernity was brought to a halt in 1929, when the US stock market crashed and brought about the start of the Great Depression, a massive economic downturn that had devastating effects around the world. The music styles that really found footing during this time period were blues, black gospel, folk music and country music, which we examine more closely in the next module. But also popular were forms of entertainment that took people’s minds off their troubles, like the music of Bing Crosby or song and dance films starring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.

The Swing Era (1934-1944/45) brought about the formal structure of the big band, one that is still used today. Composers and bandleaders from the era pushed both jazz styles and race relations forward while providing lively entertainment that offered an escape from the horrors and worries of WWII.

As you move through the readings in this module, notice how forms and styles are changing. What differences do you hear between the music of units 4 and 5 and the music of the previous module? Many of the original recordings are used in both modules – how is the sound of recording changing? What role do emerging genres play against the backdrop of rapidly changing technology, relaxing social mores, WWI (1914-1918), and WWII (1939-1945)?

Learning Objectives

When you have finished this module, you should be able to do the following:

1. Define The Modern Era and explain the new sounds of song during this time.
2. Explain the First Technological Revolution in music.
3. Explain AABA form.
4. Define The Swing Era.
5. Differentiate the key genres.
6. Identify the key artists and their unique contributions to their genre.
7. Where applicable, explain the role of black/white relations on the genres covered in this module.
8. Define all terminology.

Module Instructions

1. Read your Module 3: Learning Material.
2. Read Campbell Units 4 and 5 (pages 56 to 91).
3. As you read your textbook, visit the Module 3: Music page to listen to the musical examples.
4. Optional: post a response to one of the Challenge Questions on your blog if you plan to blog as part of your course assignments (see syllabus for details).
5. Join the blog discussions if they interest you.
6. Once you have completed your module work for the week, please go into the Blackboard course tools and complete the weekly quiz prior to the 4:00 pm Friday deadline.

Key Terms, Concepts, and People

• Technological advances: radio, recording, amplification, film.
• Influence of dance on Modern Era music
• AABA form
• What defined Modern-Era Popular Song (p. 67)
• Blues in the Modern Era
• Bing Crosby
• Billie Holiday and song interpretation
• Innovations in stage and film music
• Big-Band Swing
• Fletcher Henderson
• Continuing evolution of Jazz
• Benny Goodman
• Count Basie
• Duke Ellington

 

Continue to Module 3: Learning Material