Rock 'n' Roll and Cultural Diffusion: The Evolution of Music

1. Concepts of cultural diffusion used to explain rock ’n’ roll. • Culture hearths • Diffusion modes • Carriers • Barriers • Culture change

2. Culture hearths are hotbeds for culture trait development. . Mayan Inca

3. A culture hearth is a crossroads where ideas are exchanged and culture traits developed.

4. Diffusion moves culture traits from hearths to other places. Triangle Trade

5. Over time, some culture hearths may decline as new ones ascend.

6. Diffusion modes • Relocation diffusion • Expansion diffusion • Hierarchical • Contagious

7. Relocation diffusion occurs when people move to a new location and do not return. Music was one African culture trait to survive the slave trade.

8. Chicago Blues The Blues Mississippi Delta Blues Expansion diffusion moves traits to a new place where they are introduced to new people and expanded.

9. Diffusion of fashion Expansion diffusion can be hierarchical and move from higher to lower ranked places. Paris New York City Minneapolis/St. Paul

10. Music diffusion Nashville - WLAC Memphis, Tenn. Expansion diffusion can be contagious as it spreads from a central point. New York City

11. Carriers Carriers move culture traits.

12. Human migration, trade and travel have been the most common carriers. Trade Travel Human Migration

13. Transistor radio 45 rpm records 33 1/3 rpm records 8 Track Tape Cassette tapes CD’s Internet downloads mp3 players Networking sites Technological advances impact the scope and speed of diffusion.

14. Barriers block diffusion. Geographic barriers Cultural barriers

15. Physical features Distance and accessibility: “Backwoods is backwards.” Geographic barriers stop or slow down cultural diffusion.

16. Religious Political Cultural barriers stop or alter diffused culture traits.

17. Social Cultural barriers stop or alter diffused culture traits.

18. Saudi Arabia Korea China Culture change takes place when traits are adopted, adapted or imposed. Rock ’n’ Roll On The New Long March