The human voice is perhaps the root of all musical instruments. All pitched
instruments that we know and love today, spawn from the ability of the
human singing voice.
Best of all, every human being is born with the ability to express their
thoughts and emotions through speech and/or singing.
From Gregorian Chants to Slave Work Songs, the human voice is a necessary
component in virtually all styles of music.
Throughout a medieval and Classical times, the singing voice was found in
operas and Choirs.
The style of singing was very structured and began to take flight in the
Romantic Era (1800-1900). In this era the use of vibration the voice was first
found. The music of this era focused on drama and emotion. this style of
singing had a very important role in the evolution of opera and piano/voice
duets. Also around this time, women were permitted to sing in operas and the
like. Prior to this, men and boys were the main voices heard. the castrati would
sing the soprano parts.
Arguably the most important root in the evolution of vocal music is the
African American.
African American slaves brought with them a very unique style of singing.
Using theses songs and spirituals as a survival mechanism from the torment
they endured as slaves, gave this music a raw human element. This music was
pure cathartic expression and the epitome of what vocal music should be.
The music alone was strong enough for an entire culture to endure hundreds
of years of torture and labor. It keep them alive and moving forward in the
travesty we call slavery.
When you mix the structured knowledge of European harmony with the raw
human emotion of African American music, you unleash a force to be
reckoned with. These forces gave root to the blues, R&B, Rock and Roll, and
pop music. In turn, this hybrid of styles eventually spawned into modern rock,
rap, and hip-hop music.
instruments that we know and love today, spawn from the ability of the
human singing voice.
Best of all, every human being is born with the ability to express their
thoughts and emotions through speech and/or singing.
From Gregorian Chants to Slave Work Songs, the human voice is a necessary
component in virtually all styles of music.
Throughout a medieval and Classical times, the singing voice was found in
operas and Choirs.
The style of singing was very structured and began to take flight in the
Romantic Era (1800-1900). In this era the use of vibration the voice was first
found. The music of this era focused on drama and emotion. this style of
singing had a very important role in the evolution of opera and piano/voice
duets. Also around this time, women were permitted to sing in operas and the
like. Prior to this, men and boys were the main voices heard. the castrati would
sing the soprano parts.
Arguably the most important root in the evolution of vocal music is the
African American.
African American slaves brought with them a very unique style of singing.
Using theses songs and spirituals as a survival mechanism from the torment
they endured as slaves, gave this music a raw human element. This music was
pure cathartic expression and the epitome of what vocal music should be.
The music alone was strong enough for an entire culture to endure hundreds
of years of torture and labor. It keep them alive and moving forward in the
travesty we call slavery.
When you mix the structured knowledge of European harmony with the raw
human emotion of African American music, you unleash a force to be
reckoned with. These forces gave root to the blues, R&B, Rock and Roll, and
pop music. In turn, this hybrid of styles eventually spawned into modern rock,
rap, and hip-hop music.
