Swingin In the 1930s A Decade of Innovative Music essays

Swingin In the 1930s A Decade of Innovative Music essays Thesis: Music of the 1930's took an interesting ride with swing. It was not only a musical pastime, but a way of life; those who brought it to us, will live on forever. Towards the beginning of the 1930's, the nation was grasped by the effects of a Great Depression. The economy was on hold, but the music was not. As the 1930's began to take shape, they gave birth to a new era of music. The melancholy sound of the early years of the Depression had left people in search of something revitalizing. Around 1931, the Black bands, led by such greats as Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson, began to develop the Swing style which would not formally appear for another two years. Simply put, they began to change the make-up of the band, and the time of the pieces. For example, Ellington and Henderson were both responsible for transforming the rhythm section (piano, bass, drums, guitar). Until then, the rhythm section consisted of a piano, tuba, banjo, and drums. Ellington and Henderson took out the tuba and banjo and added a string base to the ensemble. With later advances in technology, the guitar was added to replace the banjo. In regards to time, the two leaders evened things out by taking the "march" time of 2/4 and added a more laid back, steady 4/4 time. (Erenberg, 29) In addition to the change of the concept of the rhythm section and the meter (time), the role of the bandleader himself became the foundation for which he would select his ensemble. As with all bands, orchestras, and chamber ensembles, a conductor is always a necessary commodity. The "big bands" as the swinging bands were named, were previously led by a "conductor" of sorts. Taking a step towards the age of swing, the bandleaders became known for their instrumental abilities, as well as their conducting. In fact, groups began to be formed around the bandleader's instrument. The bandleader became the most important aspect of the new big bands;...