1840 US traditional instruments

My money would be on fiddle.

Pianee?

The squeeze box or harmonium was common. Also don't forget pocket instruments -- harmonica, jews harp, octarina or sweet potato, etc.

1840 was a little early for pianos out here, besides, piano technology was still not quite up to snuff. 25 years later (post Civil War) the square piano started to make an appearance. There's still hundreds of these things around, and sometimes people try to sell them for thousands as "antiques" -- truth is, with wooden frames they don't stay in tune for more than an evening. The best use for an old square that I've seen is a fellow in the Dakotas who makes desks out of the cases.

Something to consider, the midwest was largely Indian country then. I've seen a few Native American Instruments, drums and flute type things.

Friday

Lots of good thoughts.

The research is for a local group's tune. I will be recording some of their songs this month.

One is entitled "The Ballad of Biddle City."

As the story is told: In the 1830's the Ford brothers sold a bunch of land plots to a new settlement they called Biddle City. This area is just south of the Grand and Red Cedar rivers in what is now downtown Lansing, Michigan. They had plotted this area and designated the location of the schools, church,... They sold these plots in Lansing, New York.

When the new owners arrived they found the land was mostly swamp, flood plain land. 'Twas a swindle, a "land scam." Many left. But some went a mile north to higher ground. Built some houses and dubbed the area Lansing, Michigan. This is now considered "Old Town."

I figger the song will sound perrty cool to have a arrangement more in keeping with the 1840's type of instruments.

Hence the research.

They perform the tune with 2 guitars, bass, and banjo. I am attempting to create the image of where this ballad would have been performed. And what instruments used. Fur shur around a camp fire. In a saloon? Parties?

So: it may be not using the actual instruments but what will now evoke such images. Heard a mandolin tune 'tother day. Surin put me in mind o' tellin' the story.

J

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Also possibly mountain dulcimer (one of only two instruments actually invented in the US - banjo supposedly being the other, but it had forerunners in Africa), and various folk harps. As others have said, fiddle most definately. Considerable information is available about brass bands from the time of the Civil War - not to mention recordings on period instruments (granted that is a bit after the time frame you are asking about).

One place to check as a possible research site (no idea if they are on-line or not) is the largely outdoor folk and craft museum located in Mountain View, Arkansas. When I was able to visit it (about 15 years ago) they had a fair amount of information on "old tyme" historical music. Also, in terms of sacred music the Sacred Harp type books, and Kentucky Harmony, etc., date back to the 1820's or so.

Granted this is more "Southern" but still might be worthwhile data points.