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InArt 115
Popular Music
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POPULAR MUSIC
InArt 115
EXAM # 3
Name ___________________________
True and False
____ 1) Country music draws from the imagery and values of urban life.
____ 2) The first commercially successful country record was performed by John Carson.
____ 3) Western music, such as Gene Autry’s, contain many instrumental solos.
____ 4) Bob Wills’ music is among the first country music to use electronic instruments.
____ 5) Willie Nelson’s style of country is closer to jazz than traditional country.
____ 6) The first major “star” of The Grand Ole Opry was Uncle Dave Macon.
____ 7) The first country artist to make the “cross over” to the popular charts was Hank
Williams.
____ 8) Chet Atkins was a record producer and executive at RCA records as well as
being a recording and performing guitarist.
____ 9) Although extremely popular on the country charts, Patsy Cline’s recordings
never crossed over to the pop charts.
____ 10) Roy Acuff is acknowledged to be the “father of bluegrass music”.
____ 11) The famous bluegrass team of Flatt and Scruggs began their career together
with Bill Monroe.
____ 12) Since Webb Pierce’s recordings in the early 50’s, no instrument has been more
associated with honky tonk than the electric pedal steel.
____ 13) Rocky Top was written and performed by The Osborne Brothers in 1967.
____ 14) The Texas city, Houston, was an important southwest city that spanned the
“outlaw” brand of country music.
____ 15) Decca Records was the first major recording label to record country western
music
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Popular Music
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Listening Example # 1
Describe the form (structure of the song), instrumentation, and give the name of a possible composer and/or
performers. Analyze the song similar to the style of the textbook.
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Popular Music
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Multiple Choice
____ 1) Much of American folk music can be traced to:
A) France B) Great Britain C) Germany D) Italy
____ 2) A “child” ballad:
A) is named after Francis Child B) is a nursery rhyme
D) all of these
C) is a Spanish folksong
____ 3) The “five string” banjo is used primarily in:
A) jazz B) classical music C) East European music D) bluegrass music
____ 4) The “other” popular country radio station in the 20’s besides Nashville’s WSM was:
A) New York’s WNBC B) New Orleans’ WNO C) Atlanta’s WSB
D) DuBois’ MOO
____ 5) The accompaniment to John Carson’s famous Little Log Cabin in the Lane was:
A) guitar only B) fiddle only C) a cappella D) banjo only
____ 6) The classical music singer who turned to country music when his career waned was:
A) Vernon Dalhart B) Hank Williams C) Jimmie Rodgers D) Gene Autry
____ 7) The earliest country recording producer (responsible for discovering Jimmie
Rodgers) was:
A) George D. Hay B) Gid Tanner C) Bob Miller D) Ralph Peer
____ 8) The fiddler responsible for developing an urban hoedown style called western swing was:
A) Bob Wills B) John Carson C) Charlie Daniels D) Mark O’Conner
____ 9) The very popular female country artist to die in a plane crash at the height of her career was:
A) Maybelle Carter B) Patti Page C) Barbara Mandrell D) Patsy Cline
____ 10) The performers of the television theme song The Ballad of Jed Clampett was:
A) Flatt and Scruggs B) The Stanley Brothers C) The Osborne Brothers
D) Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys
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Popular Music
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Listening Example # 2
Describe the form (structure of the song), instrumentation, and give the name of a possible composer and/or
performers. Analyze the song similar to the style of the textbook.
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Completion
1) The style of country music that involves much improvisation similar to the way it is
used in jazz is called ______________________________.
2) The name given to contemporary bluegrass music that is jazzed up and experimental is
called _________________________.
3) The country singer _______________________ was discovered by Chet Aktins
because of his mellow easy listening baritone voice.
4) The most influential country singer/songwriter since Jimmie Rodgers was ____________________.
5) The Chicago songwriter who teamed up with Roy Acuff and developed a publishing
dynasty in Nashville was __________________________.
6) Country music that employs a strict dance beat, thick instrumentation, and resonates
with self-pity and remorse is called ____________________.
7) The popular bluegrass instrument that originated in Africa and brought over by the
slaves is called the __________________________ .
8) The early country group that portrayed a very simple, conservative, old-timey approach
to their recordings was _________________________.
9) The type of English ballad that were composed and printed on large single sheets and
dealt with politics, crimes and lovers was called _________________________.
10) The country and bluegrass instrument that has its roots from Italy is called the
_____________________________.
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Listening Example # 3
Describe the form (structure of the song), instrumentation, and give the name of a possible composer and/or
performers. Analyze the song similar to the style of the text book.
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Short Essay
1) Describe the African-American influence on country music. Include information and
description of African-American ballads
2) Discuss the early commercialization of country music. Who was responsible? What
were the media options at that time that could be exploited?
3) How did movie westerns affect the development of country music. Give some
examples of artists. Discuss the differences between this style and South-Eastern country.
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Listening Example # 4
Describe the form (structure of the song), instrumentation, and give the name of a possible composer and/or
performers. Analyze the song similar to the style of the text book.
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4) Discuss the history of the Grand Ole Opry. Where did it get its name? Who were some
of the original performers?
5) What were the musical influences that led to the development of bluegrass music?
Who were the early innovators of this style of country?
6) Discuss the honky-tonk style of country music. Who were the prevailing artists?. How
does this music differ from the earlier country songs?
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7) What is the legacy of women stars in country music? Who were some of the early
female artists?
8) What were Tin Pan Alley’s earliest attempts at country music? Who was involved in this?
9) Describe the instruments used in early country music. What is their background?
10) Class consciousness is one of the main themes of country music. Describe the class
system in the development of southern culture that may account for this.
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ESSAY QUESTION
What is your opinion of the similarities and differences between the terms “Folk Music
and Country Music” in this genre of American music? Give examples of song titles and
performers in your answer.