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Music has always been a powerful medium. The evocation of feelings, the transmission of a message through a beat, the painting of a picture, and rhythmic poetry. All of these encompass music in the modern day. From the cultural folk song, to the storytelling style of rap, the eclectic combined sound of drums and guitar of modern rock, the dissonant sonata that comprises electronica and the classical elegance of the Beethoven era, music is an intricate and integrated part of life.
The origin of music is extremely expansive thus this blog will focus specifically on what many people consider the advent of “modern” music, Tin Pan Alley and its history. Tin Pan Alley is the name given to the collection of New York City music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music scene of the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The name originally referred to a specific place: West 28th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in the Flower District of Manhattan; a plaque on the sidewalk on 28th Street between Broadway and Sixth commemorates it.
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Shortly after the Civil War, while America was beginning to rebuild and newly freed African Americans as well as immigrant Eastern European Jews were establishing themselves as citizens, there was an increased demand for sheet music. The demand fueled the growth of Tin Pan Alley which at the time not only used old pianos to compose their work, but also lead to the advent of the modern genres such as Jazz and R & B.
Tin Pan Alley extended its reach from just sheet music to film soundtracks, Broadway Musicals and music publishing. The influence of the powerhouse only grew as new media types like radio were introduced and adapted to.
Tin Pan Alley essentially paved the way for composers and song writers actually having the ability to earn revenue from their work. Tin Pan Alley successfully spearheaded copyright regulation and created the Music Publishers Association of the United States as well as the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. This allowed for the songwriters and composers to receive royalties while still allowing the public to have access to their music. These implemented measures are still a major aspect of the contemporary music industry. Additionally, Tin Pan Alley helped to standardize the 32-bar chorus. And many of the songs accredited to Tin Pan Alley became industry standard or held elements that would become the industry standard. For example, listen to a song such as “Summertime” by George Gershin, then compare to some contemporary Jazz or even the ever-popular Christmas carols. The similarities are noticeable.
It is thus safe to say that without Tin Pan Alley’s judicious rise and the push to not only set the industry standard but the push to credit songwriters and composers, the world of music in the contemporary age would be a completely different landscape. And for any music aficionado or enthusiast the question of what could be different is one best left as a what if scenario.
Jamar.Knight 