American Folk Music

Study the History of American Folk Music with Online Video

With these online subtitled History of American Folk Music videos, you'll follow the history of American folk music from English ballads to field hollers, to gospel songs and the blues. Use our 5 online educational video titles to follow the history of American folk music from English ballads...to field hollers...to gospel songs and the blues. Learn how American folk music has evolved and given rise to other popular styles, such as ragtime, jazz, rhythm and blues, bluegrass, country and western, and rock and roll. Listen to musical excerpts and identify the instruments used, including the accordion, banjo, dulcimer, fiddle, guitar, harmonica, and mandolin.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the countries of origin of ethnic musical instruments and musical styles that have become part of American folk music and culture.
• Learn how American folk music has evolved from musical forms such as English ballads and field hollers, and given rise to other popular styles of music, such as ragtime, jazz, rhythm and blues, bluegrass, country and western, and rock 'n' roll.
• Understand the role folk music played in American history during the colonial era, the Civil War, the Great Depression, the two world wars, the civil rights movement of the 1960's, and the Vietnam War.
• Identify familiar folk music instruments and explore the significant impact of African music, which resonates with intricate rhythms and soulful vocal elements.

• Music > History Of Music > American Folk Music
• The Roots of American Folk Music (Runtime: 15:49)
• Country Music (Runtime: 19:03)
• Black Folk Music (Runtime: 18:36)
• Folk Music in History Part 1 (Runtime: 19:36)
• Folk Music in History Part 2 (Runtime: 16:12)