I
Before 1950

In the 19th century Hoempa bands were popular around the Dutch country side. Hoempa music related to the Bavarian and Swiss Oom-pah and the Finnish Humpa. The Hoempa bands probably used a tuba, as the sound of tuba on the first beat is like hump, the second beat coming as a pa. The influence of Hoempa on dutch music culture was still evident years after pop started when a song like the birdie dance was recorded.

Dutch cabaret was another influential force for Dutch pop. Jean-Louis Pisuisse is by many seen as the founder of the Kleinkunst (small art). A mix between French cabaret, German Schlager, the italian cantautori tradition and politically engaged songwriting.
In 1907 the journalist Pisuisse toured the Dutch countryside with colleague Max Blokzijl dressed as an Italian streetsingers. Originally intended as a joke it soon resulted in the book Avonturen als straatmuzikant (adventures of a street musician). They later called their chansonlike songs Levensliederen.

Influenced by the café chantants and cabarets he saw in paris Pisuisse founded the first Dutch cabaret company. They started to perform in the Kurhaus in Scheveningen with the help of impressario Max van Gelder. One of the first Dutch Kleinkunst songs Mens durf te leven (which roughly translates as Don't be scared to live) derived from that period. Pisuisse and his Dutch revue is followed by artists like Louis Davids, Willy Derby, Lou Bandy and  Frans van Schaik.

The influence of the Indonesian colonies is also evident in this period. The guitar was imported to the Indian archipelago by Portuguese explorers in the 14th century. The traditional Portuguese song styles, saudade and fado, played with guitar accompaniment, later became krontjong music. Krontjong is characterized by guitars which seem to be "talking" to each other. The guitarists play rhythmic and melodic parts instinctively.

Many Indorock musicians had a predilection for Hawaiian music, which was popular in the Netherlands at the time. Dutch Indonesian home comers and Dutch military on leave introduce this music in the Netherlands. In the summer of 1945 the Kilima Hawaiians create a true Hawaiian hype.