Musical History
Scientists Show Humans May Share a 'Musical Grammar'
Across 60 cultures, songs sung in similar social contexts have shared musical features
The Long Journey of Charlie Parker’s Saxophone
The newly acquired instrument, played by the father of bebop, is on view at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
World-Renowned Soprano Jessye Norman Dies at 74
The opera star, who championed diversity in the arts, was known for her singular voice and versatile range
Future Graffiti Additions to Prague’s John Lennon Wall Will Be Strictly Regulated
Local authorities are introducing security measures in response to vandalism, obscene graffiti
An Electrifying History of Air Guitar
How the world's most popular invisible instrument became such a hit
Bossa Nova Became a Turning Point in Brazilian Culture. João Gilberto Helped Launch It
The musician, who died at 88, developed the understated style in his sister's bathroom, launching the cool, sophisticated sound to international acclaim
Archaeologists Are Finding Woodstock Really Did Take On Life of Its Own
If it seems weird to survey a site that’s only 50 years old, it is. But it's not as unusual as you’d think
The Social Power of Music Will Take Center Stage at the 53rd Annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival
The D.C. tradition will hit the National Mall for two action-packed days this weekend. Here's what to know about this year's lineup
Universal Music Group Claimed No Master Recording Burned in 2008 Blaze. New Report Estimates Hundreds of Thousands Did
Explosive allegations in <i>The New York Times Magazine</i> claim 500,000 one-of-a-kind master recordings were destroyed in Universal Fire
Lost Footage of One of the Beatles' Last Live Performances Found in Attic
A man filmed the missing 1966 'Top of the Pops' appearance from his TV set
The Site of Country Music's First Recorded Hit Is Set to Be Demolished
152 Nassau Street in Atlanta was home to the first country music recording hit made before the genre even had a name
How the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Changed American Music
The season finale of Sidedoor tells the story of an indigenous Hawaiian instrument with a familiar sound and unexpected influences
From Buddy Holly to Lady Gaga, the Met's New 'Play It Loud' Exhibit Features the Instruments of Rock and Roll Greats
The show includes more than 130 guitars, drum kits and keyboards, as well as vintage costumes, posters and concert footage
Seventy-Five Years Ago, the Television Musical Made Its Debut
"RENT: Live" meet "The Boys from Boise"
Before the 'Baby Shark' Song Made the Hot 100, 'Silly Symphonies' Were All the Rage
The “musical novelty” series of shorts achieved critical and popular success, too
The Titles of These AI-Generated Christmas Carols Are Pure Cinnamon Hollybells
🎶 We wish you a Merry Jinglelog 🎶
A Brief History of 'Silent Night'
The classic Christmas tune was first composed as a poem, and it was set to music for the first time in the winter of 1818
How Savvy Advertising Helped Make Stereo Technology Mainstream
Stereo demonstrations and colorful ads sold customers on the two-channel sound technology when it was introduced 60 years ago
Reggae Officially Declared Global Cultural Treasure
The music, which emerged from Jamaica in the 1960s, was added to Unesco's global Intangible Cultural Heritage list
'Dear Evan Hansen' Recognized as Part of America's Cultural Heritage
Artifacts from the Broadway musical come to the collections of Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
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