Bluegrass+Music


 * Bluegrass**

Bluegrass as a style of music that developed during the mid-1940s. At this time, recording was limited because of war rationing that occured, and it would be most accurate to say that bluegrass was played some time post-World War II, but not prior. As with any musical genre, no one person can claim to have "invented" it. Bluegrass is a combination of old-time music, country, ragtime and jazz. It has its own roots in Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English traditional music. It was inspired by the music of immigrants from the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as jazz and blues. Nonetheless, 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, that was formed in 1939.

Bluegrass was generally used for dancing in the rural areas, a dancing style known as buckdancing, flat-footing, or clogging, but eventually spread to more urban areas and became more popular. This music is typically performed on acoustic, non-electric instruments, such as mandolins, acoustic guitars, banjos, fiddles, and upright basses, since the genre originated before the widespread availability of household electricity. Besides instrumentation, a distinguishing characteristic of bluegrass is vocal harmony featuring two, three, or four parts, often featuring a dissonant or modal sound in the highest voice. This vocal style has been characterized as the "high lonesome sound." There is also an emphasis on traditional songs, often with sentimental or religious themes.

Popular Bluegrass Songs:
 * Jolene - Dolly Parton
 * At The Crossroads - Steve Ivey
 * Cripple Creek - Mike Seeger

Literary Movement Music of the 20th Century (Home)