Do your string players know the history of African American string bands?
January 31st, 2006 by etobias
While some school music programs include fiddle music as part of their curriculum, I wonder how many string students know the history of African American string bands or the roots of the instruments used in this musical style such as the banjo or fiddle?
On November of 2005, the radio program “Talk Back”, on non-commercial community radio station WBAI 99.5FM in New York City, interviewed the Ebony Hillbillies a group that is keeping the African American string band tradition alive. A recording of the program can be listened to here and includes some live performances and some interesting discussion regarding this style of music.
Why not give your students a new perspective on the fiddle music tradition and string music in America.