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Library of Congress

Loc: Woody Guthrie and the Archive of American Folk Song

For Students 9th - 10th
An archive Woody Guthrie's correspondence from 1940-50. Could provide insight into Woody's music. Contains a great biographical sketch and timeline. Also, a search aid for additional materials at the Library of Congress about him.
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PBS

Pbs: American Roots Music

For Students 9th - 10th
If teaching a unit about the history of popular music in America, this PBS web site supporting their four-part TV broadcast of a few years ago would make a great resource. Includes lesson plans and oral histories too.
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Contemplator

Folk Music of England, Scotland,ireland, Wales & America

For Students 9th - 10th
Fine comprehensive intro to folk music of English-speaking countries. Lyrics, background and midi files make this a useful site.
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York University

York University: African Canadian Online: Music

For Students 9th - 10th
African-Canadian music encompasses the West Indies, Africa, the United States, South American and the Maritimes. This excellent reference resource provides information about the many kinds of music and the talented individuals who make it.
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Library of Congress

Loc: Lyrical Legacy: 400 Years of American Song and Poetry

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore eighteen American songs and poems each represented by an original primary source document, along with historical background information and, in many cases, sound recordings and alternate versions.
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PBS

P.o.v.: Lomax the Songhunter

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource dedicated to Alan Lomax discussing his role in preserving folk music. Discusses the film about his life and provides activities and additional resources for educators.
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PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Joni Mitchell

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an excellent resource covering the life and musical career of Joni Mitchell. Be sure to check out the interactive timeline.
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PBS

Pbs: Archives of the West: Songs of the Plains a Selection of Cowboy Folk Songs

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the lyrics of five cowboy songs from 1860's and 1870's.
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PBS

Mpr: The Meaning of Sioux Music and Song

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Minnesota Public Radio provides the text of a 1915 article written by musician and self-trained anthropologist, Frances Densmore. Densmore spent years studying the music and culture of the Teton Sioux and other native...
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University of Pittsburgh

Center for American Music Stephen Foster's Career

For Students 9th - 10th
This University of Pittsburgh site provides a wealth of information about American songwriter Stephen Foster. This link discusses his professional career with various other links within the text about minstrel shows, etc. Return to the...
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Library of Congress

Loc: Southern Mosaic

For Students 9th - 10th
This site, from the Library of Congress, provides a recording project by the WPA during the Depression Era of folk music collected throughout the southern states of the U.S. Supplemented by photos and other material to document life...
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PBS

Pbs: Sweet Old Song (The Music of Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong)

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about and listen to jazz, blues, folk, and country musician Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong and his roots in America's musical past. "Sweet Old Song" tells the story of the music and art partnership between Armstrong and his...
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PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Bob Dylan

For Students 9th - 10th
The companion website of a film documentary directed by Martin Scorsese about the life and music of Bob Dylan. Understand Dylan's career and the impact of his music on the politics of the time, his influences, and his many musical...
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Other

Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archives

For Students 9th - 10th
The consummate resource for extensive information about folk singer Woody Guthrie. Includes a great biography with photos and quotes plus publications, special projects, and events.
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Library of Congress

Loc: America Singing: Nineteenth Century Song Sheets

For Students 9th - 10th
Song sheets, which containedonly lyrics, were a popular form of printed music. The Library of Congress holds over 4,000 of these from the 1800s that can be viewed online.
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Library of Congress

Loc: Hispano Music & Culture of the Northern Rio Grande

For Students 9th - 10th
Collection of online resources on the Hispanic arts and culture of the Southwestern United States. Exhibits include essays, audio files, and links to related sites.
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Library of Congress

Loc: Fiddle Tunes of the Old Frontier

For Students 9th - 10th
At this site from the Library of Congress, you can listen to an 82-year-old Virginia fiddler, Henry Reed, playing tunes recorded in the 1960's. Many of the tunes have been transcribed and the notation can be viewed on line as well. The...
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Contemplator

The Contemplator's: I've Been Working on the Railroad

For Students 6th - 8th
This site offers complete lyrics with a bit of history on this American folk song.
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PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Paul Simon

For Students 9th - 10th
Along with Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon was part of one of the most popular bands of the 1960's. Still popular today, read about his career in this biography from PBS.
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Hank Williams

For Students 9th - 10th
Read detailed biographical information on country/blues/folk music star, Hank Williams, a 1987 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes an essential songs list.
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Other

Mad River Theater Works: The Ballad of John Henry [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Scroll down this study guide to find the lyrics to the Ballad of John Henry, which was collected from individuals in the West Virginia mountains in the 1920's. Discusses the different versions of the song and the history behind it.
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Other

African Australian Online Resource

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers dozens of reviews of African recordings, new and re-released. Well-known musicians Zap Mama and Femi Kuti, as well as up and coming ones, are reviewed. Links to individual Web sites and audio files are also featured here.
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ibiblio

Ibiblio: John Henry: The Steel Driving Man

For Students 9th - 10th
This ibiblio.org site deeply explores the truth behind the legend of John Henry. Content includes interviews with numerous scholars who take a look at how this legend may have been created. Scholars also analyze historical facts versus...
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Aaron Shepherd

Aaron's Storybook: Folktales

For Students Pre-K - 1st Standards
Many folktale resources are offered here. Texts of stories, "extras" including music and audio files, posters and background information can be found for some stories.

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