AIS320.1 – American Indian Music

The goal of this class is to expose the student to American Indian musics with special emphasis on the musical styles of the intertribal powwow. Previous musical experience is not required. We will focus primarily on the Northern Plains style of powwow singing as it relates to the contemporary urban intertribal powwow. The class will be structured in the following manner:

1. Exploration of American Indian powwow histories and worldviews

Goals: Illuminate the historical movement and cultural significance of the powwow over time and as experienced in different regional locations

2. American Indian Powwow Music

Goals: Learn to identify and perform between 5-10 Northern Plains powwow songs, Analyze and identify corresponding powwow dance styles

3. Transculturation of American Indian Musics

Goals: Examine the movement of intertribal powwow music in the present moment to other genres including jazz, rap, and EDM, Analyze methods and rationale used by American Indian popular musical artists in the production of their work, Comparative discussion of powwow music in relation to selected Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian musical genres (schedule permitting)

Contact: johnc@sfsu.edu