Piano rolls, phonograph and cylinder recordings made in the early part
of the twentieth century provide insight into the music styles enjoyed
in that era.  These recordings also give us an idea of the mores and
beliefs of the time.  Little has been said about the use of the
phonograph as a tool for recording history and culture.

By the early part of the twentieth century, Native American culture was
rapidly disappearing.  It was at this time that a woman named Frances
Densmore began an effort to record and preserve the language, songs,
and oral traditions of these people.  Starting in 1907, Densmore
visited countless numbers of Native Americans and recorded their
language, songs and stories using an Edison cylinder phonograph.  In
many instances, the stories had never been recorded before in any form;
they had been passed down through generations by oral tradition.  The
wax cylinders she recorded became valuable historical records.

In the 1970's, the American Folklife Preservation Act was created
through bipartisan efforts in both the U.S. House and Senate.  Through
this Act, the American Folklife Center was established at the Library
of Congress as an independent organization reporting to a Board of
Trustees.

Recognizing the historical and cultural value of Densmore's work, the
American Folklife Center started copying and restoring her wax cylinder
recordings.  This program, known as the Federal Cylinder Project, has
been more than a preservation effort; the recordings have assisted
Native Americans of today in learning the songs and stories of their
ancestors which may have otherwise been lost.

More information about the life and work of Frances Densmore may be
found at:

http://www.news.mpr.org/features/199702/01_smiths_densmore/docs/index.shtml
http://www.upress.state.ms.us/books/s/spiral_way.html
http://lcweb.loc.gov/folklife/afc.html

Joyce Brite
Player Piano and Mechanical Music Exchange
http://mmd.foxtail.com/Exchange/