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Slavery and the Making of AmericaPhoto of African-American children reading
Time and Place Slave Memories Resources The Slave Experience

The Slave Experience: Education, Arts, & Culture
Intro Historical Overview Character Spotlight Music in Slave Life Personal Narratives Original Docs
Music in Slave Life Education, Arts, & Culture
Work Songs return to introduction
Mealtime Call


Oh, Miss Wright,
Why don't you ring that bell?
Oh, Miss Wright,
Why don't you ring that bell?
I can tell
The way those greens smell.
Featured Instrument
photo of an African-American man singing Voice
The chief music-making instruments for slaves were their own voices. Singing together, alone, or in call-response patterns, slaves improvised, altered, and embellished, creating sounds rich in tone and texture.
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SLAVERY AND THE MAKING OF AMERICA is a production of Thirteen/WNET New York.
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