Record: Traditional Bluegrass

Term: Bluegrass, Traditional

Time Period: 1939-present

Geographic Area:
Origin: Appalachian Mountains
Current: United States

Voice:
Number of voices: 1-5
Vocal Character: Informal, regional accent
Lead/Ensemble Relationship: Ensemble sings harmonies on choruses

Text/Lyrical Content: Everyday experience; love and loss; family; Christian spirituality

Instrumentation:
Lead Instrument: Any of fiddle, acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, resophonic guitar
Ensemble Size: Small
Ensemble Makeup: Exclusively acoustic; various combinations of fiddle, acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, resophonic guitar, string bass

Musical Characteristics:
Dynamics: Somewhat quiet to somewhat loud
Harmonic Character: Western major and minor chords, embellished with seventh
Melodic Character: Western major and minor scales, focusing on pentatonic notes, accented with “blue” notes
Rhythmic Character: Backbeat. String bass plays on downbeats, with a distinctive mandolin "chop" on the offbeats.
Tempo: Somewhat slow to very fast
Structure/Form: Verse/chorus, often with introduction, bridge and improvised instrumental solos

Performance:
Venue: Radio, concert hall, social gathering, festival
Intended Audience: Rural Americans

Purpose: Entertainment

Term Relationships:
Broader Terms: Bluegrass, Americana, Popular Music
Narrower Terms: Bluegrass Gospel
Related Terms: Mountain Music

Scope Notes: