This Thanksgiving I have thinking about the impact that music has had on this holiday: specifically, what might have been performed during the 1620s in the New World. Sources that I have encountered about this topic, like from Kylie Harwell. demonstrate examples from both the Wampanoag Indians and Pilgrims. In terms of music from the Wampanoag, Harwell discusses the significance of the water drum, which was used primarily for ceremonial purposes. This does not suggest, however, that the water drum is strictly a Wampanoag instrument, as different tribes across the United States have also used it. Those looking for details on the overall construction of a water drum should check out this video. It provides a step-by-step tutorial for how to build a Woodland Indian water drum: so named because the water inside the drum determines the timbre and pitch when struck.
There are also extant examples of psalmody brought over from England to the New World. Harwell stresses the importance of the Psalter by Henry Ainsworth from 1612. Dr. Paul Jehle confirms this information via research from the Plymouth Rock Foundation. Jehle notes that, even though the Pilgrims sang these English translations of Biblical Psalms in the New World, Ainsworth originally used the Psalter while living in Amsterdam. One can find examples of psalmody by Ainsworth like in this video. Notice that the presentation of the score features only the melody and text with no added instrumentation. Jehle describes this music, written in the C clef, as a form of resistance against the strict nature of the Church of England. Of course, he also says that the Pilgrims did perform musical instruments and other types of songs outside of church services. Here are some photographs of when I visited Plymouth, MA several years ago, including a snapshot of the "Plymouth Rock."
There are also extant examples of psalmody brought over from England to the New World. Harwell stresses the importance of the Psalter by Henry Ainsworth from 1612. Dr. Paul Jehle confirms this information via research from the Plymouth Rock Foundation. Jehle notes that, even though the Pilgrims sang these English translations of Biblical Psalms in the New World, Ainsworth originally used the Psalter while living in Amsterdam. One can find examples of psalmody by Ainsworth like in this video. Notice that the presentation of the score features only the melody and text with no added instrumentation. Jehle describes this music, written in the C clef, as a form of resistance against the strict nature of the Church of England. Of course, he also says that the Pilgrims did perform musical instruments and other types of songs outside of church services. Here are some photographs of when I visited Plymouth, MA several years ago, including a snapshot of the "Plymouth Rock."
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