The descendants of those early tribal musicians continue to create and perform their unique art in the many ceremonials and rituals as well as public fairs and powwows that take place annually throughout the continental United States, Canada, and Alaska. Although many native Americans have been assimilated into modern society, several tribal groups are making serious efforts to preserve their traditional cultures. From the end of the Civil War to 1889, the year of the Wounded Knee massacre, the temper of the times discouraged sympathetic understanding or wide dissemination of Indian music and dance beyond tribal circles. Nevertheless, each regional and geographic cultural area has retained its own identity just as, in most instances, the identity of each tribe has been tenaciously retained. Some songs are conceived during visionary or dreamlike states, while others are consciously created for special functions.
Extemporization is rare.
Musical notation is nonexistent in the traditional culture, although isolated instances of mnemonic music aids have been found. Likewise, some dances are energetic and agitated, while others are placid and sedate. Occasionally, music and dancing are used merely for personal exposure in a public performance before an invited audience. Nearly always, however, dance is accompanied by vocal music and some kind of percussive instruments. European forms of harmony and counterpoint are absent, although instances of incidental harmony do occur.