Why Not Try Bluegrass Guitar Lessons

You’ve heard the music and you love the sounds. You’ve decided to look into getting Bluegrass guitar Lessons. The following is a short history of how Bluegrass became the popular genre it is today.

You probably know Bluegrass came mainly out of southern America. You may however be surprised to know some of the biggest influences on the development of Bluegrass music were the English, Irish and Scottish to early America. These travellers brought with them a strong tradition of ballads and instruments. In isolated communities this music flourished unhampered by outside influences.

It wasn’t until the 1920s and 1930s that outside factors start to have significant effect on this mountain music. Blues and Jazz music were a major influence on the development of the mountain music. The rhythms of ragtime and soul of Gospel music were added to the mix to produce something a little like what we know today as Bluegrass.

The actual term Bluegrass only became commonly used in the 1950s. At this time Bill Munroe from the Blue Grass State, Kentucky, called his band The Blue Grass Boys. Around this time a number of bands playing Bluegrass music became popular.

The main instruments used in Bluegrass music are from the String family of instruments. These instruments were Banjo, Fiddle, the Mandolin, the upright Bass and of course the acoustic guitar. Taking a lead from jazz music a solo instrument may have a turn playing and improvising the melody while the other the instruments carry the accompaniment. It is not compulsory to have a vocal element in Bluegrass. But when it is there the common characteristic is what is called a high lonesome sound.

Only in the 1960’s did the acoustic guitar emerge as a solo instrument. A musician by the name of Doc Watson delighted American audiences with his musical style. It became the rage for kids to learn the guitar with a flat pick.

All musical styles naturally evolve and the latest innovation to emerge in Bluegrass circle is called Newgrass. This is where musicians allow their other interests like hip-hop meld with their Bluegrass roots. And so a sub-style is born.

People have many reasons for liking Bluegrass. Some have grown up with it while others have been introduced to it through popular movies such as the Cohen brothers 2001 movie “O, Brother, Wherefore art Thou’. Bluegrass guitars lessons are a wonderful way to participate in the long history that Bluegrass music has.

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