Folk Music Experience

This course combines playing traditional folk music with the study of the contexts in which folk music has evolved. For this quarter, the course will focus on the early history of bluegrass music. Students will be expected to participate in discussions on the book Bluegrass: A History by Neil Rosenberg and other readings during the first six weeks of the course. Each student will also be asked to introduce one song to the class that enriches our knowledge of bluegrass or the context within which bluegrass has been written and performed. Students will write a short research paper that forms the basis for their presentation on the song and its context. Students will also be responsible for learning and practicing the songs that are presented to the class, including practice in small groups. Students are encouraged to gain practice at playing one or more folk music instruments during the course, and are invited to join the course even if they are beginners at playing an instrument or if they prefer to just sing.