rican words. One word can mean three or four completely unrelated things depending on which syllable is stressed and at what pitch the syllables or word is spoken. These frequent changes of pitch sound are very similar to music, giving these people an edge over people speaking harsher languages (Hasse 3-4).
             The rhythmic structure of African music, and likewise African-American music, was unlike any other music in America at the time. Prior to African influence, American music always worked within a strict set of "rules." Notes were played on or between beats, and sometimes straight triplets were played. African-American music worked outside of this set of rules, sometimes seeming to ignore measure lines all together. The notes themselves seemed to work in a time scheme all their own. These new ideas introduced syncopation and other such rhythmic patterns to American music (Collier 5).
             Another vastly different aspect of this music was the style of vocal music. The use of 'call and response' was widely used ("Intro to 1). One person, the leader, would sing a passage, then the rest would all answer a phrase. After every passage from the leader, the rest answered the same phrase. Because most slaves were unschooled and illiterate, this style of group singing was not only
             ...