Voice and singing in popular music in the U.S.A. (1900-1960)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Martin Pfleiderer
• Subject Area: Musicology
• Term: from 2011 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 197472623

Voices and vocal expression play a crucial role in almost all genres and styles of popular music. The research project aims at describing means of vocal expression and singing styles from the beginnings of recordings around 1900 until 1960 in order to interpret them in their social and cultural context. In these period the popular music of the USA has globally influenced, intersected, and displaced other regional traditions. The research project includes three major tasks:1. Thorough inspection of vocal recordings of popular music of the USA between 1900-1960 and of information regarding recording processes and social, cultural and media context.2. Systematization and analytical description of vocal techniques and means of vocal creating in various popular music genres, such as blues, gospel music, rhythm'n'blues, american popular song, country and folk music as well as jazz and rock'n'roll3. Interpretation and analysis of selected recordings and singers with regard to musical, social and cultural background as well as to cultural patterns, stereotypes and images.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants