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America’s Musical Heritage
Listening Length: 5 hours and 56 minutes
America is an undeniably musical nation. From vaudeville and jazz to country music and blues, hearing the sounds of the American spirit is a truly unique way to appreciate centuries of American history in all its complexity.
Now, learn how to listen to the music of America with new ears. Produced in collaboration with Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, proprietor of the vast treasury of American vernacular music, these 12 lectures explore more than 200 years of music that will open your ears to a different side of the American experience.
Professor Seeger reveals the origins of the American music industry; the impact of instruments like the piano and the banjo; and the myriad ways music has shaped American wars, dances, elections, and public demonstrations. You'll learn the secret histories of songs, including "The President's March", "Amazing Grace", and "We Shall Overcome", You'll also hear informative interviews and eclectic performances from scholar-musicians, and sample original recordings that reflect the incredible richness of the American musical experience.
This is a rich and rewarding course that offers new ways for you to experience both music and American social history. You'll discover new tunes to hum, new rhythms to tap your feet to, and new musical avenues to explore on your own.
America is an undeniably musical nation. From vaudeville and jazz to country music and blues, hearing the sounds of the American spirit is a truly unique way to appreciate centuries of American history in all its complexity.
Now, learn how to listen to the music of America with new ears. Produced in collaboration with Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, proprietor of the vast treasury of American vernacular music, these 12 lectures explore more than 200 years of music that will open your ears to a different side of the American experience.
Professor Seeger reveals the origins of the American music industry; the impact of instruments like the piano and the banjo; and the myriad ways music has shaped American wars, dances, elections, and public demonstrations. You'll learn the secret histories of songs, including "The President's March", "Amazing Grace", and "We Shall Overcome", You'll also hear informative interviews and eclectic performances from scholar-musicians, and sample original recordings that reflect the incredible richness of the American musical experience.
This is a rich and rewarding course that offers new ways for you to experience both music and American social history. You'll discover new tunes to hum, new rhythms to tap your feet to, and new musical avenues to explore on your own.
6 pages, Audible Audio
Published November 29, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 2, 2020
Over the past year I have really gotten into folk and americana music in all its forms. So I jumped on picking up this great course! It doesn't hurt that it is narrated by Pete Seeger's nephew. It's a fascinating look at how cultures have shaped American music and vice versa with lots of musical examples. I do agree with the reviewer who wishes it was longer, and I do wish I had access to the video content as well. On the other hand, I'm mystified by the reviewer who seems to have registered for goodreads just to list this as agenda driven claptrap? This is hardly controversial material, dude. I guess some people are just a little fragile when faced with the fact that things like musical history are born out of diversity and often struggle and pain?
February 18, 2024
The folk music leaves me cold. The history and discussion are full of cliches and plugs.
August 25, 2020
Seeger? Seeger. Doesn't that name seem familiar in relation to music? Oh, right...per GC professor bios:
Also, he also just happens to be Pete Seeger's nephew.
It took me longer than usual to get through this GC. That's not a negative reflection on the content or format. It's just my other half wanted to watch it as well, and so I hold off on parts of it so we could access it at the same time. Otherwise, you hit one of those situations of "What do you mean you've already listened to that part? Without me?" :)
Anyway, it's an interesting trek through music forms that have contributed to and are a fundamental part of American music traditions. I with is had been more in-depth than the 12 half-hour lectures allowed. It could easily have been three times the length and still only touched on some areas. Still, it was nice to see Native American music, ragtime, and spirituals given some time and attention even in this limited series. Seeger brings in other musicians and scholars to provide examples and discuss their specific areas of expertise. And while it is obvious he's reading the script from a prompter, he does so in a relaxed way that is easy on the ears. My only complaint about it is that it doesn't begin to scratch the surface of the topic.
Anthony Seeger is a Curator and Director Emeritus of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Additionally, he is a Distinguished Professor of Ethnomusicology Emeritus at the University of California, Los Angeles. Born into a musical family, he is also an anthropologist, ethnomusicologist, audiovisual archivist, record producer, and amateur musician. Professor Seeger received his BA in Social Relations from Harvard University and his MA and PhD in Anthropology from the University of Chicago.
Also, he also just happens to be Pete Seeger's nephew.
It took me longer than usual to get through this GC. That's not a negative reflection on the content or format. It's just my other half wanted to watch it as well, and so I hold off on parts of it so we could access it at the same time. Otherwise, you hit one of those situations of "What do you mean you've already listened to that part? Without me?" :)
Anyway, it's an interesting trek through music forms that have contributed to and are a fundamental part of American music traditions. I with is had been more in-depth than the 12 half-hour lectures allowed. It could easily have been three times the length and still only touched on some areas. Still, it was nice to see Native American music, ragtime, and spirituals given some time and attention even in this limited series. Seeger brings in other musicians and scholars to provide examples and discuss their specific areas of expertise. And while it is obvious he's reading the script from a prompter, he does so in a relaxed way that is easy on the ears. My only complaint about it is that it doesn't begin to scratch the surface of the topic.
November 22, 2022
This was an audio lecture ripped from a video one. Interesting enough but way to short and for being about music had a surprisingly large amount of 'look at this' that was on the original video.
I learned a few things so not a complete waste of time but definitely not in the top tier of the Great Courses series.
I learned a few things so not a complete waste of time but definitely not in the top tier of the Great Courses series.
January 22, 2022
I didn’t think I would learn as much as I did! For example, what makes a rag a rag? Anyone? Anyone? It is a piano piece that, in addition to having a particular “flavor,” (late 19th to early 20th century) it has to have (interesting and complex) rhythms that are different in each hand. Think “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin.
This was a fun romp through our American musical heritage, which admittedly is not nearly as long as many other countries have, but is still long enough to give us quite a history. The teacher of this Great Course was Dr. Anthony Seeger, nephew of the very famous Pete Seeger, and if you don’t know who he is, you are just too young. Look him up. Dr. Seeger brings a lot of great history and knowledge about our musical past with him. It is well worth listening to.
This was a fun romp through our American musical heritage, which admittedly is not nearly as long as many other countries have, but is still long enough to give us quite a history. The teacher of this Great Course was Dr. Anthony Seeger, nephew of the very famous Pete Seeger, and if you don’t know who he is, you are just too young. Look him up. Dr. Seeger brings a lot of great history and knowledge about our musical past with him. It is well worth listening to.
May 16, 2021
This was a great audio book leveraging that format to discuss the musical heritage and giving example music samples along the way. It is a celebration of the differential global influences that infused in the peoples of the US to make the musical gumbo that developed in the US and influenced the world.
October 1, 2023
The audio lessons are missing some visual cues that would be helpful.. I will check the Audible website to see if there is an accompanying PDF.
Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this set of lessons and learned a lot.
Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this set of lessons and learned a lot.
June 3, 2020
Very disappointing. Twelve lectures (in the pejorative sense) of agenda-driven claptrap. Doesn't even begin to address America's true musical heritage.
July 10, 2021
For all those who music love, this will let you your pleasures prove.
June 9, 2022
Good content but too many plugs for Smithsonian’s Folkway Recordings.
November 30, 2023
Enjoyed this informative book for the most part.
January 22, 2025
I listened to this Great Courses class with all its examples of American music. The Seeger family are experts in the field, and no one does it better! Recommended.
July 1, 2025
Very interesting and informative.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews