OMUSA BannerOnMusic of the USA provides a comprehensive overview of the different musical traditions that form the rich musical tapestry of the United States.

Beginning with a broad introduction to basic music concepts and organizing elements, OnMusic of the USA helps your students dig deeper into the musical components so they can become more perceptive listeners. With this foundation in place, the text shifts focus onto exploring uniquely American music genres: Jazz, the Blues, ragtime, swing and big bands, country, Native American, rockabilly, bluegrass, soul, rock, and hip-hop. This panorama of the American music experience also covers deeply influential artists and the cultural impact of their music on American society.

 

Getting Started

This section does not have any lessons.

Section 1: Basic Musical Concepts

Class 1:  Can Music Have A Specific Purpose?

Class 2: The Performer’s Role

Class 3: Types of Listeners

Class 4: The Structure of Music

Class 5: Music Basics 1

Class 6: Music Basics 2

Class 7: Music Basics 3

Class 8: Ragtime, Popular Song, and the Jazz Roots of Rock

Class 9: Rural Blues and Urban Blues

Class 10: Other African American Roots of Rock

Class 11: Rhythm and Blues Becomes Rock and Roll

Class 12: American Popular Music in the Nineteenth Century

Class 13: Dixieland

Class 14: Swing and Big Bands

Section 2: Contemporary Genres

Class 15: Broadway and the Development of the American Musical

Class 16: Currents in America 1

Class 17: Currents in America 2

Class 18: Country Music Traditions in America

Class 19: Western Music

Class 20: Country Counterculture

Class 21: Elvis Presley

Class 22: Soul

Class 23: Folk and Folk Rock

Class 24: Fusion

Class 25: From Soul to Funk

Class 26: Hip-Hop

Class 27: Early Jazz

Class 28: Struttin’ With Some BBQ

Class 29: Swing in the 30’s and Duke Ellington

Section 3: Music of North America

Class 30: Bebop and the Advent of Modern Jazz

Class 31: Miles Davis, Modal Jazz, and Bill Evans

Class 32: John Coltrane

Class 33: Music in Native North America: Traditional and Intertribal Styles

Class 34: Musical Instruments of Native North America 

Class 35: Pow-Wows: Southern and Northern