Influence of Slavery on Jazz
There is no argument that music was and still is a tradition for African Americans. During the period of enslavement, African Americans used music as a vital form of expression and interaction. It was the work songs, spirituals, and field hollers that allowed them to communicate and express themselves but it was also these types of songs that formed the musical family that produced jazz. Slaves were allowed minimal verbal exchange with each other, so they used songs as a means of secure communication. Call and response, which later becomes a common musical device in jazz music played a significant role for the slave. These songs helped slaves to complete work.
Through call and response songs, slaves synchronized their labor. “They could provide rhythm for repetitive chores, such as working in the fields." (http://pathways.thinkport.org/secrets/music1.cfm 2014, para 1). Most importantly these work songs and spirituals were used as code for those who wanted to escape slavery. “…use of spirituals in the service of freedom during the slave period was the imbedding of hidden or coded messages in song lyrics for the purpose of clandestine (secret) communication." (http://www.spiritualsproject.org/sweetchariot/Freedom/coded.php, 2014,para 1).
During the period of slavery, motherhood for the woman was a trying experience. This was primarily due to the fact that many had no choice in at what time and how they would become mothers. Often their children were sold off to other plantations never to be seen again; all while being forced to take care of their master’s children. However, these women reacted innovatively through the art form of musical lullabies. “As is often the case in African American culture, music allowed for survival. Slave songs about mothering opened a window into these women’s hearts” (Tick & deGraaf, n.d., para 2).
There is no argument that music was and still is a tradition for African Americans. During the period of enslavement, African Americans used music as a vital form of expression and interaction. It was the work songs, spirituals, and field hollers that allowed them to communicate and express themselves but it was also these types of songs that formed the musical family that produced jazz. Slaves were allowed minimal verbal exchange with each other, so they used songs as a means of secure communication. Call and response, which later becomes a common musical device in jazz music played a significant role for the slave. These songs helped slaves to complete work.
Through call and response songs, slaves synchronized their labor. “They could provide rhythm for repetitive chores, such as working in the fields." (http://pathways.thinkport.org/secrets/music1.cfm 2014, para 1). Most importantly these work songs and spirituals were used as code for those who wanted to escape slavery. “…use of spirituals in the service of freedom during the slave period was the imbedding of hidden or coded messages in song lyrics for the purpose of clandestine (secret) communication." (http://www.spiritualsproject.org/sweetchariot/Freedom/coded.php, 2014,para 1).
During the period of slavery, motherhood for the woman was a trying experience. This was primarily due to the fact that many had no choice in at what time and how they would become mothers. Often their children were sold off to other plantations never to be seen again; all while being forced to take care of their master’s children. However, these women reacted innovatively through the art form of musical lullabies. “As is often the case in African American culture, music allowed for survival. Slave songs about mothering opened a window into these women’s hearts” (Tick & deGraaf, n.d., para 2).