A musical analysis of folktunes from Deseronto, Ontario

Boe, David Stewart (1982) A musical analysis of folktunes from Deseronto, Ontario. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This study contains a structural and contextual analysis of the music of 112 English-language folksongs collected from eighteen residents of Deseronto, Ontario, Canada. An overview of Deseronto's historical, cultural, and social background, as well as a textual classification of the songs, places the collection in context. Viable methods of transcription and analysis are discussed and exemplified to illustrate how the general results were achieved. The stylistic norms of the collection are assessed through an examination of tonal structure, melodic movement and design, melodic embellishment, metro-rhythmic structure, form, dynamics, and vocal timbre. Where applicable, findings are compared with those of other analysts of British-North American folksong. Interpretations of singers' verbalizations about· music supplement the theoretical approaches. In conclusion, the salient revelations of the thesis, along with recommendations for further research, are summarized.

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