Bluegrass or Country

Subject: Bluegrass or Country
From:
Date: 24 Mar 98 - 02:10 AM

This will seem a stupid question to many of you, but I got asked the other day and I just don't know the answer. What's the difference between bluegrass and country? I know (I think) that they have a common origin but since then (I assume) they've branched along their respective evolutions and now ...? How do you explain what makes them different kinds of music? Thanks.

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 24 Mar 98 - 09:12 AM

One of the main differences between bluegrass and country is that bluegrass has no drums. The typical band is comprised of a guitar, banjo, fiddle, bass and mandolin, with sometimes a dobro. The percussion of drums is covered by the rhythm guitar, the mandolin chops and a driving bass. Bluegrass bands use acoustic instruments, although sometimes you will find an electric bass in the group (which die-hards deplore). Early bluegrass and old-time country have many similarities and common origins, but the authentic bluegrass sound began with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, and his instrumentation and taste really defined the genre, although there are many other legends who have formed it along the way (Flatt & Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, et al).

The lyrics are often based on home, family, old-time values and rural living, but not always. There are usually 2 or more harmony parts, with the tenor part over the lead melody singer, baritone below it and bass at the bottom. Sometimes there's a second baritone over the tenor. The style of the songs usually involves lead breaks by various instruments between verses, while the other instruments back off and support the break.

Bluegrass is a way of life as well as a genre. Many fans are also pickers, and spend every weekend they can at bluegrass festivals, every evening they can at jam sessions, and every moment they can immersed in the music."Bit bad" is what most bluegrassers have been by this music. I'm one of them! Hope I haven't put any glaring errors into this reply, now that's it's going out to the world . . .

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: Earl
Date: 24 Mar 98 - 09:47 AM

That definition of bluegrass sounds pretty good to me. These days, I think, blugrass is considered a subset of the broader category of country. Sometimes a bluegrass performer like Allison Krause can record a country song but I don't think the reverse ever happens.

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 24 Mar 98 - 12:07 PM

I sometimes think of bluegrass as a subset of Folk. The dividing line with country (besides drums) is probably the banjo, which no one in country wants in their band. There are some country performers who do bluegrass occasionally, like Ricky Skaggs with his new album "Bluegrass Rules" and people like Marty Stuart and Vince Gill, who I think started in bluegrass.

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: Earl
Date: 24 Mar 98 - 02:08 PM

When I first started listening to blugrass it was definitely considerd folk, at least in the north. Today it seems like a seperate entity with a foot in each camp. Bluegrass is a modern style with old-time country roots. There seems to be a growing interest (still pretty small) in old-time music among country fans but less old-time music (if records and festivals are an indicator) in the folk world.

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: Bruce O.
Date: 24 Mar 98 - 06:20 PM

Barbara might have mentioned that Bluegrass (Monroe style) had it roots in folk and gospel, or 'church' music, essentially of the Appalachian region and nearby. (Are Ozarks, Kentucky and Tennessee considered Appalachain?)

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: Jerry Friedman
Date: 25 Mar 98 - 08:46 PM

Eastern Kentucky and eastern (I think I should say "east") Tennessee are definitely Appalachian; the Ozarks definitely are not.

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Mar 98 - 09:43 PM

And 'country'..or more specificly "Country-Western" at one time meant just what it says...music done by, for & about rural life, issues, and people...('Western' just was making specific note of the cowboy and frontier motifs). Then, as electricity and recordings allowed rural people to hear other peoples music and to sell THEIR music, and as rural folk went to work in war plants and factories and saw more of the city, the subject matter began changing...songs about love affairs and drinking, etc., were written to capture the impact that 'city life' was having on 'country' folk. And performers from poor backgrounds added spangles to their costumes and glitter to their guitars to contrast with the drabness of life in general.

So...once again, the original music changed, but the name didn't, and we have 'country' music referring to mostly 'city-billy' songs and people instead of farms and small town life in a quieter era.

(Yes, I know the above is colored by my particular attitude toward it all...*smile*...)

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Mar 98 - 10:12 PM

for other thoughts and opinions, see the 'Kenny Rogers' thread....

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: Rusty D-18
Date: 21 Apr 98 - 08:55 PM

As I am a bluegrass addict I find that bluegrass is a dirivitive of country and Old time mountain music what sets bluegrass apart from country is the acoustic instruments and the high tenor vocals

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: Art Thieme
Date: 22 Apr 98 - 12:19 AM

Sorry if this be too obvious to bother saying, but nobody here (that I noticed) has used the very necessary word ACCOUSTIC in their look at bluegrass.

A bluegrass band must be accoustic!!!

Art

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: Art Thieme
Date: 22 Apr 98 - 12:23 AM

WHOOPS, SORRY!!

Barbara used the word acoustic.

Never mind!

Art

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: Whippoorwill
Date: 22 Apr 98 - 02:37 PM

One difference I've noticed between country and bluegrass: Most country pickers can play only in the keys of E and A, while bluegrass musicians play only in G and D. If they want to change keys, they have to use a capo. Having played bass for many years with both styles, I find it very refreshing once in a great while to find someone who knows more than four chords.

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: dulcimer
Date: 22 Apr 98 - 09:49 PM

I can add to Bill D said about name changes. I play with a guitar player who started in the '40 playing the country music of that day. He occasionally plays with people who claim to play "bluegrass" (in Southwest Missouri/Souteast Kansas). They often comments that what songs he knows and how he plays is not that much different from how they play, only a little slower. Also, many old-time country musicians who sing and play old-time country music in our area will play in C and G; easier for others to follow along and usually only involves three chords. Sometimes people singing more modern country will sing in A, Bb, or E. Fiddle tunes are usually in A or D. I really can't speak for professionals, only relate what we "playin' for fun" people do.

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: Rusty D-18
Date: 22 Apr 98 - 11:48 PM

As A bluegrass player myself I find the statement that bluegrass players can only play in G and D very offensive. I can play in almost any key although, I also follow proggressive bluegrass in which case you are all over the neck I play all the bluegrass instruments accept Fiddle but I try not to use my capo as much as possible when playing my guitar

Subject: RE: Bluegrass or Country
From: Swamp Varmint
Date: 23 Apr 98 - 07:36 AM

Sorry, Whippoorwill, real Bluegrassers don't use capos! I'm an eclectic mix of country and bluegrass, and I can play in any key. I am definitely not a professional, except in my own mind.