Lake County Time Capsule: Pioneer music
- Kathleen Scavone
- Posted On
"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy." – Ludwig van Beethoven
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – When our county's pioneers had any precious down-time to speak of after a hard day of working in the fields, or completing chores such as milking, canning, gardening or preserving, they may have enjoyed reading by lamplight, creative needlework or they may have played word games.
Pioneer children passed the time playing “hide the thimble,” they made shadow puppets and also played with rag or paper dolls.
Some lucky pioneers who had the means to transport a large instruments such as a piano or an organ may have had some precious time to practice that versatile instrument.
They may have had the means to purchase an organ constructed locally.
The Gunn Organ, one of which was donated to the historic Courthouse Museum in Lakeport by A. G. Fultz, was made by James A. Gunn, who had an organ factory called Gunn Organ and Furniture factory in the late 1800s in Kelseyville.
Others may have perfected their skills on a banjo, which was invented in the 1800s. Folks back then may have played the harmonica, which was common in the late 1800s.
Depending on cultural practices, some pioneers may have played the concertina, also called the accordion.
Dulcimers were played by some, and are related to the German scheitholt. The Dulcimer was perfected in America; and it hailed from Appalachia.
Another popular instrument was the fiddle, also known as the violin, which was sometimes used to accompany the dulcimer. Fiddles were probably one of the most popular instruments, since they easily crossed cultural groups.
Of course, we cannot forget the improvised tools that were used as musical instruments back in the day, such as a whiskey jug, washboard and the spoons – a popular percussion instrument.
According to the Library of Congress, the first hit song was "Home, Sweet Home."
The Library of Congress Web site explained, "Regarded as America's first bona fide hit song, presented here in a performance by the famous Australian soprano Nellie Melba. The song was adapted from Henry R. Bishop's 1823 opera "Clari, Maid of Milan," with lyrics by John Howard Payne. It was widely sung throughout the nineteenth century and subsequently recorded by many early recording artists."
Listen to "Home Sweet Home" on Library of Congress' link at https://www.loc.gov/item/jukebox.6651 .
American popular music has had a way of making its way around the world. From the time Thomas Edison's phonograph cylinder made it possible to record music, American music has long entertained and thrilled people world-wide.
From Scott Joplin's ragtime-style dance music to jazz, blues and swing music, American music has made its mark. American country music is said to have originated by bringing in African American spiritual music and Appalachian folk music.
I you want to time-travel and enjoy old-fashioned music, be sure to visit Lake County Museum's own Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum's monthly free Fiddler's Jam in their barn.
There you can soak up not only the toe-tapping music that our local musicians are fiddling for you but you can take a trip to times past in the old barn where the music is played. There you will view old-fashioned farm implements and antique tractors as well as a stagecoach nearby. Living history events are held there on the fourth Saturday of each month at noon.
The Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum is located at 9921 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville near Kit's Corner. Fiddler's Jams take place the first Sunday of each month from noon until two p.m. and is free, but donations are welcome.
For more information, view the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum Web site at http://elystagestop.com/.
For a list of old-timey songs, their lyrics as well as audio files, visit http://www.songsforteaching.com/themeunits/pioneerstheme.htm.
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also formerly wrote for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.