Washington times? What woukd the earliest Americans know of in terms of composers and where woukd they go to hear music played or what dud they have available?
I don’t know much, but there were music books printed and sold for popular music so hundreds of years before radio they would publish sheet music or a magazine type subscription for wealthier patrons. Then people would play on I think most commonly piano at home or at a bar or pub or church.
This seems like a pretty good source including tons of music and lyrics https://libsysdigi.library.illinois.edu/OCA/Books2013-02/musicofgeorgewas00geor/musicofgeorgewas00geor.pdf
Also he would have heard plenty of marches moving armies and at military events. A couple tunes still around from the time are Yankee doodle and the star spangled banner.
Singing likely played a much larger role. Without any form of recording, good music would be very subjective. There were likely very localized styles. This is when a lot of African traditions were carried over.
The music of colonial America would be the drinking songs and other folk music, along with hymns and sacred music, brought over from England. Most of the music would have been passed down by tradition. Ol George probably knew some raunchy drinking songs, but public music performances wouldn’t become common until the early 1800s.
You might also ask this question over at askhistorians.
Will keep them in mind for future historical inquiries, thanks
