1. First, submit a 150 word minimum post that addresses only one of the topics listed below, and post it to the discussion by Friday, by copy and pasting your work into the Reply box (which you’ll find below, beneath the rubric table). Be sure to always click the Post Reply button when you’re done.

2. Then, post at least four informative comments (50 words minimum for each) in response to posts by other students. These posts add to and/or build on other student’s comments, providing additional information or perspectives on the topic – this may also include your personal experiences, insights or opinions.

You’ll find the threaded posts of your classmates by scrolling to the bottom of this page. You can reply to a comment already posted by another student by clicking in the reply field below their post. If you choose to submit more than 4 response posts, you may receive extra credit points.

Topics for Discussion 1:

Explain how minstrelsy helped construct musical representations of race in the US, by identifying and describing at least one minstrelsy character. Identify the opportunities that both European Americans and African Americans had, to make a living as performers in minstrelsy. The negative aspects are obvious, but identify at least one positive aspect of minstrelsy.

Explain why ragtime was unique in the context of late-1800s American popular culture. How did the emerging music industry popularize ragtime? Describe how ragtime was initially received by the broader American public – positive or negative. Can you draw parallels between these issues another musical style that emerged in the past 70 years?

• Choose three of the following musical styles – vaudeville, country blues, classic blues, ragtime, jazz. For each style, identify the opportunities that musicians had to make a living as performers, and what kind of venues they might have performed in.