I'm not exactly sure what people mean when they say race has nothing to do with music.

Certainly, historically speaking, different races developed different styles of music. As travel and communication developed, these styles have mixed and synthesized into other styles. Jazz, for example has elements of both Caucasian European and Negro African music.

The Blues was developed almost exclusively by the Negro race. Appalachian folk music was developed almost exclusively by the Caucasian race. Country music mixed the two styles...Maybelle Carter learned guitar styles from a black man, Jimmy Rogers borrowed a lot from Ragtime. All current forms of American Pop music, from Hip-hop to Metal to Country have their roots in music from both Negro and Caucasian cultures.

Many cultures have lent their unique musics to our popular forms: Spanish, Arabic, Oriental, Indian, African, Irish, Brazilian, the list goes on and on. The roots grow finer than simply racial beginnings.

Yes, music, just as any art, has racial, cultural, national, and historic beginnings. This is something to be studied, celebrated, and cherished.

Mike


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Mike Dunbar Music

You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

Mike Dunbar Music