Definition of American Music
Historians often refer to America as a "melting pot" or "tossed salad," where cultures from all around the world converged to form one distinct culture representative of all its parts. Immigration and cross-cultural exchange spawned a new American music that people all over the world enjoy.
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History
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According to Hasia Diner at America.gov, immigration shaped the basic nature of American society. The colonial period saw the arrival of settlers from France, England and other European nations, some of whom brought with them African slaves. From the 1820s and on, America witnessed a massive wave of immigration and the introduction of new cultures.
The Blues
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The blues has had arguably the biggest impact on American music. Distinctly American music styles like ragtime, jazz, country, rock & roll and gospel all stem from the blues tradition, according to the Encyclopedia of Southern Culture.
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Geography
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American music varies from state to state, city to city. Some examples of popular regional styles include grunge in the Northwest and hip hop in the East.
Types
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The fusion of two or more cultures has often resulted in distinct American styles. French and African music begot creole music, according to Louisiana State University-Eunice. German polka and Mexican music merged to form Tex-Mex, according to Accordians.com
Pop Music
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Countries as diverse as Russia and Mexico have embraced American music like rap and rock & roll and created versions of their own.
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