Page "Music of the United States" Paragraph 8

Economic and social class separates American music through the creation and consumption of music, such as the upper-class patronage of symphony-goers, and the generally poor performers of rural and ethnic folk musics.

Musical divisions based on class are not absolute, however, and are sometimes as much perceived as actual ; popular American country music, for example, is a commercial genre designed to " appeal to a working-class identity, whether or not its listeners are actually working class ".

Country music is also intertwined with geographic identity, and is specifically rural in origin and function ; other genres, like R & B and hip hop, are perceived as inherently urban.

For much of American history, music-making has been a " feminized activity ".

In the 19th century, amateur piano and singing were considered proper for middle-and upper-class women.

Women were also a major part of early popular music performance, though recorded traditions quickly become more dominated by men.

Most male-dominated genres of popular music include female performers as well, often in a niche appealing primarily to women ; these include gangsta rap and heavy metal.