Bluegrass music is considered a form of American roots music with its own roots in the English, Irish and Scottish traditional music of immigrants from the British Isles (particularly the Scots-Irish immigrants of Appalachia), as well as the music of rural African-Americans, jazz, and blues. Like jazz, bluegrass is played with each melody instrument switching off, playing the melody in turn while the others revert to backing; this is in contrast to old-time music, in which all instruments play the melody together or one instrument carried the lead throughout while the others provide accompaniment.
Bluegrass artists use a variety of stringed instruments to create a unique sound.Unlike mainstream country music, bluegrass relies mostly on acoustic stringed instruments: The fiddle, banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin, and upright bass are sometimes joined by the resonator guitar (popularly known by the Dobro brand name), and an electric bass or electric upright bass is occasionally substituted for the upright bass. This instrumentation originated in rural black dance bands and was being abandonded by those groups (in favor of blues and jazz ensembles) when picked up by white musicians (van der Merwe 1989, p.62).
Debate rages among bluegrass musicians, fans, and scholars over what instrumentation constitutes a bluegrass band. Several general criteria have been put forward. One suggested definition is that a bluegrass band includes at least four musicians who play instruments including an upright bass, an acoustic guitar, and a banjo, though those instruments need not always be played. (Example: During gospel songs many banjo players switch to lead guitar, a tradition dating to Earl Scruggs.) Other common instruments include the fiddle, the mandolin, and the resonator guitar. Bluegrass bands have included instruments as diverse as drums, electric guitar and electric versions of all other common bluegrass instruments, accordion, harmonica, mouth harp, and piano, though these are not widely accepted within the bluegrass community. Instrumental solos are improvised, and can frequently be technically demanding.
Besides instrumentation, the distinguishing characteristics of bluegrass include vocal harmonies featuring two, three, or four parts, often featuring a dissonant or modal sound in the highest voice (see modal frame); an emphasis on traditional songs, often with sentimental or religious themes. This vocal style has been characterized as the «high lonesome sound.»
Bluegrass as a style developed during the mid 1940s. Because of war rationing, recording was limited during this time, and the best we can say is that bluegrass was not played before World War II, and it was being played after. As with any musical genre, no one person can claim to have «invented» it. Rather, bluegrass is an amalgam of old-time music, blues, ragtime and jazz. Nevertheless, bluegrass’s beginnings can be traced to one band. Today Bill Monroe is referred to as the «founding father» of bluegrass music; the bluegrass style was named for his band, the Blue Grass Boys, formed in 1939. The 1945 addition of banjo player Earl Scruggs, who played with a three-finger roll now known as «Scruggs style,» is pointed to as the key moment in the development of this genre. Monroe’s 1945-48 band, which featured banjo player Earl Scruggs, singer/guitarist Lester Flatt, fiddler Chubby Wise and bassist Howard Watts, aka «Cedric Rainwater,» created the definitive sound and instrumental configuration that remains a model to this day.
By some arguments, as long as the Blue Grass Boys were the only band playing this music, it was just their unique style; it could not be considered a musical genre until other bands began performing the same style. In 1947 the Stanley Brothers recorded the traditional song «Molly and Tenbrooks» in the Blue Grass Boys’ style, and this could also be pointed to as the beginning of bluegrass as a genre.
It is important to note that bluegrass is not and never was a folk music under a strict definition, however the topical and narrative themes of many bluegrass songs are highly reminiscent of «folk music». In fact many songs that are widely considered to be «bluegrass» are older works legitimately classified as «folk» or «old-time» performed in a «bluegrass» style. From its earliest days to today, bluegrass has been recorded and performed by professional musicians. Although amateur bluegrass musicians and trends such as «parking lot picking» are too important to be ignored, it is professional musicians who have set the direction of the genre. While bluegrass is not a folk music in the strictest sense, the interplay between bluegrass music and other folk forms has been studied. Folklorist Dr. Neil Rosenberg, for example, shows that most devoted bluegrass fans and musicians are familiar with traditional folk songs and old-time music and that these songs are often played at shows and festivals.
- Banjoboy’s Place – Personal page including banjo and guitar audio clips, banjo tabulature, and photos.
- Barb Diederich’s Handy Bluegrass Links – Directory of over 2000 links to bluegrass related sites.
- The Bluegrass / Acoustic Music Web Ring – A web ring for bluegrass and acoustic music bands, fans, and instrument builders. with over 400 members world wide. Also offering bluegrass / acoustic digital postcards.
- Bluegrass Bios – Profiles of bluegrass performers past and present, bound in a three-ring binder. Aimed primarily at bluegrass DJs, a new edition is released annually.
- Bluegrass Guitar – A source of information about the acoustic flat-top guitar and the playing styles used in bluegrass music.
- Bluegrassbox – Community for the trading, collecting and discussion of bluegrass music. Three 24/7 streaming bluegrass internet radio stations.
- DeskTopGrass – Broadcasting bluegrass music on the web. Also offers bluegrass news and links.
- Don DePoy – Personal web site of Donald DePoy, an active bluegrass musician and scholar, including his dissertation: Cultural Context of Bluegrass Music.
- ETSU Bluegrass and Country Music Program – The unique Bluegrass Music program at East Tennessee State University.
- European Bluegrass Music Association (EBMA) – Seeks to promote bluegrass throughout Europe. News, membership directory, and information about the European World of Bluegrass trade show.
- Hashel Colvin – Personal page with song lyrics, audio clips, and favorite links.
- Homespun Tapes – Instructional audio & video tapes on playing musical instruments, covering bluegrass as well as folk, jazz and other styles.
- International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) – Professional trade association that promotes bluegrass in the US and over thirty foreign countries. Site includes information on membership, World of Bluegrass events, the annual trade show, IBMA award winners, Grammy winners, Hall of Honor, Fan Fest, educational efforts, and membership forms.
- Just Bluegrass Music – Bluegrass sound reinforcement company and recording studio in Nashville, TN.
- The KingPup Radio Hour – Bluegrass and Old-Time music in Real Audio. Hosts Phil & Gaye Johnson are joined by special guests on each half-hour show.
- NashCamp Bluegrass Music Camps – Week long retreat in country setting to study and jam with Nashville’s finest players and recording artists. Classes offered: Guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass, Dobro, Bluegrass singing.
- Prime Cuts Of Bluegrass – A radio marketing service for bluegrass music; now offering compilation albums for sale to the general public as well.
- Unavoidable Bluegrass Promotions – Lists clubs and festivals. Supported by advertising and by radio programs in Indiana and Kentucky.
- Bluegrass Guitar – A source of information about the acoustic flat-top guitar and the playing styles used in bluegrass music.
- Fingerpicking – An introduction to fingerpicking, Bluegrass style; includes audio samples.
- Bluegrass Harmonica – Bluegrass harmonica links and music to «Goin’ Down The Road Feelin Bad.»
- Stevens, Mike – Biography, MP3 music files, documentary clips, recording information, pictures, reviews, and contact information.
