Music & Dance in the Colonial Era
by Amanda Peterson

As you can probably guess, the dances and music of the colonial era are quite different than the upbeat tempos and smooth beats we experience today. Some of the instruments used, however, are still in manufacture today, and are played by a wide range of people of all ages. Just like today, songs and dances gained or lost popularity as fads changed.

Colonial music of the time was both written and oral. Songwriters took the largely recognized tune of an existing song and applied new words to it. Tunes, however, were not only for entertainment – they were present in military marches and religious ceremonies, too. They also appeared in musical theater (most often ballad operas), which not only entertained but encouraged families to spend time together.

With flutes second in line for popularity, violins were played by, virtually, everyone. Both instruments were imported from around the world, made from a variety of different materials. Despite this, certain instruments and types of music were reserved to a certain class, gender, or ethnic background. Women, for example, were limited to very few instruments; slaves often used their voices as a substitute.

Dancing was another favorite pastime of the colonists. Though usually accompanied by a single violin, other instruments sometimes joined in to create a more powerful beat. Dancing, generally, was a public display of skill. Professionals were highly admired. However, this practice was not only for entertainment – it was also for the solidification of friendships, courtships, and business deals.

A wide range of dances graced the floors, from the English country dance to jigs to the chief ceremonial dance of the menuet ordinare, or ballroom minuet. This French dance is a sequence of complicated steps and floor patterns. It can either be a singular dance or a couplet.

Dancing teachers were very profitable. They offered both public classes and private lessons, and were constantly creating new steps and tunes to keep their students – who ranged from children to adults – interested.

Despite being embraced by New England’s devout Congregationalists, singing in the church was not accepted by all. Others adopted this practice, but discouraged secular music, as the Puritans did. Religious music was classless, and was a very large part of worship. Instruments, however, were not generally present, including the organ, which is now popularly played in worship halls. This was not only due to expenses, but also because the instrument was difficult to play. These piano-like objects were found more often in homes than in churches.

Slaves were encouraged by their owners to sing while they worked. The logic behind this was that it improved the moods of the workers, and that their efficiency would increase. After hours, however, everyone gathered together to perform more extravagant ceremonies, both religious and secular. Call-and-response was very popular within these societies, brought from their homeland of Africa.

When they were allowed to, slaves played instruments such as banjos, flutes, notched gourds, and, most popularly, drums. However, this was often swapped out with clapping and foot stomping. Dancing, too, was common at these gatherings to promote spirituality and joy.

Compared to modern styles, these musical habits were very different. Most dancers of the time did not dance without inhibition, but with a formal and practiced step that gained them popularity and, in some cases, a profit. As you can see, our culture has evolved greatly.