Halle Carr MUS/110: A Brief History Of Bluegrass Music

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The History of Bluegrass

Halle Carr MUS 110: Music Appreciation; Michael Yopp.

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2 March 17, 2024 1 3 Bluegrass music is a genre of music with gospel roots created by Bill Monroe in the heart of Chicago. While the style of bluegrass might have changed over the years, the history of how it came to be remains the same. Bluegrass music began as a very different type of music than what we know it to be today. Today we see bluegrass music more along the lines of country music. However, this is not how it started out. Bluegrass music used to be more along the lines of gospel music with lots of soul. However, now we categorize bluegrass music under the umbrella of country music. It has changed so much over the years, but we are

The older generation felt that it was bringing shame to the original creators of bluegrass music by changing the way it is played. This shift began in the 1950s and started to become what we think of today when we hear bluegrass music. Which includes more of a country style with guitars and drums. While most of the older generations did not appreciate this shift, there is still a majority of people who appreciate what bluegrass music is now. In the 1930?s when bluegrass music was developed Bill Monroe worked with his band to help produce this genre of music. He was part of a band called the Blue Grass Boys. The band was composed of his brothers and a few friends. While they did not necessarily start with bluegrass music. It quickly grew to become bluegrass music from the areas they performed and the audience that listened. The name Blue Grass Boys was called to remember and honor the state that he came from. Bill Monroe was born in Kentucky and while he might have moved to Chicago and started an influential genre. He still wanted to pay tribute to his home state by naming his band after it. Since this band, Blue Grass Boys, was such an influential key in the making of bluegrass music the genre was named after Bill Monroe and his band. In his article Bluegrass Music, Mark Payne explains the type of music Monroe was producing. ?The music combines acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, and bass fiddle with close vocal harmonies.? These

While some blues and country music today still involves old string instruments and harmonies. Many of the songs are evolving into a more pop-country style. Since this is the case, some people prefer the acoustic sounds and original instruments that bluegrass used to have. Instead of the new styles, it has evolved. However, bluegrass music has come a long way and many people appreciate and love that it is still known as?America?s music?. Overall, bluegrass music is a widely known genre. Whether people remember it as what it used to be involving banjos and fiddles, or if they know what it is known as today, they still have a sense of bluegrass as a whole. Although it has changed over the years, the history still stays the same as well as the reason it was created. Bluegrass was created to put a smile on people?s faces, and we can still listen to old and new bluegrass today. While the new style might not be loved by everyone, the older generation can still appreciate what bluegrass used to be and still have the opportunity to listen to it today. It is important that we learn where bluegrass music came from and who created it. If we know where it came from, it helps us to appreciate just how much hard work and dedication went into creating a genre of music for everyone to enjoy. Whether bluegrass is a genre you enjoy listening to or not, it is something that everyone can learn about and appreciate the history of.