TEACHING (AND STUDYING) THE MUSIC OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD

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Date

2022

Authors

Felix, Brian

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Abstract

This article aims to provide answers to two questions: why teach about the music of the Grateful Dead, and how to do so? In an effort to engage the former, this article examines the ways that the Grateful Dead provides a rich and unique case study towards a deeper understanding of American popular music. The contributing factors are their distinct brand of eclecticism, career-long commitment to extended musical improvisations, and the depth and durability of their songbook. In order to answer the latter question (how?), I provide a framework for approaching the Grateful Dead’s voluminous output from a musical perspective, using their shifting personnel (primarily the keyboardists) as markers for understanding the distinct musical attributes of different eras. My hope is that the argument and framework provided here will assist anyone who is looking to teach or study the music of the Grateful Dead. Keywords: Grateful Dead, eclecticism, improvisation, songbook, jazz, rock, ontology

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Keywords

Type of access: Open Access

Citation

Felix, B. (2022). Teaching (and studying) the music of the Grateful Dead. Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy, 9(1 & 2). http://journaldialogue.org/issues/v9-issue-1-and-2/teaching-and-studying-the-music-of-the-grateful-dead/.