It seems to me several posters have mentioned the most important factor of all--whether you yourself actually do bluegrass or folk rather than just listening to it---it makes all the difference if you're a participant.

But if we talk about why bluegrass people don't like folk or vice versa we get into quicksand real fast.

What is a bluegrass song?

"Sitting On Top of the World" is not---or is it? I've heard some great bluegrass versions of it. "There Is A Fountain" is not--but the Bluegrass Cardinals do, to my mind, the definitive version of it. "Sleep With One Eye Open" is--and for me a great song with a sly sense of humor (also, according to Lester Flatt, banned as too suggestive by some radio stations when Flatt and Scruggs did it). "Little Bessie" is, for me, a bluegrass song--I've never heard a non-bluegrass version of it (though they no doubt exist) and the stark bluegrass instrumentation and "high lonesome" sound fit perfectly. So it may predate Bill Monroe--lots of bluegrass does.

A crucial question would be--what about the Carter Family?    I can't imagine bluegrass without their contributions.

Anyway, it's always too bad when somebody narrows his or her musical taste, and as I said, the most important aspect is doing a type of music yourself.

I've stayed up all night til 7 AM at bluegrass parties at least twice and had a glorious time singing and playing.   I've also sung and played til dawn at least 3 times doing folk music (not counting Getaways where it also happened) (as I said I really don't think you can separate the two rigidly, especially Carter Family material--why would you want to?)

I also like the lyrics in bluegrass--the best seem very evocative of a not too distant past--not only Singing All Day and Dinner on the Ground but also of a time when, for instance. death, even for children, was considered a very accepted part of life (e.g. "Little Bessie")

I take the religious lyrics in gospel bluegrass seriously--as the writers meant them. The romantic complaints I don't always take seriously--"Hit Parade of Love"? A sense of humor in music makes it even better.

Folk of course is wonderful--partly because of its variety---not just Child ballads but drinking songs, sea songs, farming songs, gospel especially black Gospel, but also Sacred Harp, Klezmir, Irish, Scots, western swing, calypso (especially calpysoes from the 30's and 40's), mining songs, railroad songs, etc., etc. But here again the distinction becomes meaningless---there are great bluegrass railroad songs, mining songs, etc.

I've found that in both folk and blugrass gatherings somebody who knows lyrics is appreciated, as is somebody who can do harmonies.

Have to admit I can get my fill of bluegrass intrumentals when the goal seems to be to finish first. But I'd say the same of folk ballads read off the page by somebody who really can't settle on a tune and stumbles over the words.

Some like vocals, some instrumentals. Optimal for me is a good song, with a chorus, and with great breaks--that way everybody gets a chance to participate, but individuals also shine.

On top of this I sing in choral groups, love orchestral music----and doo-wop.


There's such a wealth---as several posters have already said---good music is good music-----it's foolish to be narrow.

It also limits your own pleasure---needlessly.

Why do that?