Music of the 1910's
Musical Growth
In the 1910's there was very little technology to help produce music. Acoustical recording was the form of recording they used, where singers and musicians would sing around a cone that would pick up sound to direct a needle to put grooves in a disc. The disc would be used like a record to replay the music recorded. This process was not efficient in that musicians and singers would have to move back and forth from the cone when there needed to be a volume adjustment or there was an instrumental. But most music was performed live in vaudevilles. At vaudevilles live entertain consisted of stand up comedy, musical performances, and dance routines. Because there were no speakers many of the musicians resorted to loud music that would project through out big theaters. It was not until the invention of the microphone in the 1920's that this would change.
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Musicians of the 1910's
W.C. Handy
W.C. Handy is known for bringing the blues to Tin Pan Alley and composed the first commercial blues to be published. Handy's "St. Louis Blues" became one of America's favorite songs during the time era, making this song a timeless classic. Handy was also listened to abroad and became a global music figure. |
The Original Dixieland Jazz Band
The first jazz recordings occurred in 1917 when a New York night club invited the Original Dixieland band to record two numbers, but later decided not to release them. Later on, the band was recorded again, this time the recording studio released them, making the Original Dixieland band one of the first jazz bands to be recorded. This event then helped spread jazz music around the world. |
James Reese Europe
James Reese Europe is known as the most respectable band leader of an African American band. Europe's music was inspired by World War 1 experiences. Europe's band was commonly nicknamed "Hell Fighters Band" because they served in the 369th Infantry. Weeks after they returned from the war, the band was making new recordings about their experiences. |