Bluegrass Music and Its Roots

The history of bluegrass music goes back to the sixteenth century. Early bluegrass derived from ballads and dance, to gospel and blues, brought over from immigrants from Europe and Africa. More traditional bluegrass obtained its roots from country music or , "mountain music." This brand of music got its start from Jamestown settlers who wrote their music based on their mountain surroundings.

The primary instruments used in bluegrass were acoustic and string instruments. These were in most cases fiddles, banjos, guitars, and mandolins. Unlike typical bands that all play together, bluegrass was unique in that each instrument would play their own melody, while taking individual solos during the song.

An individual most familiar with bluegrass was Bill Monroe, who was dubbed the founding father of mountain music. Bill's music was primarily for barn dancing, which is known today as clogging. Bluegrass continued to grow in popularity, and moved out of the country and more into mainstream.

Bluegrass was divided into three generations. These were based on the brand of music or composition, ranging from the mid 1940s through the mid 1980s. Along with the generations of bluegrass, they were broken into three categories. Traditional bluegrass catered to the folk music family, while Progressive bluegrass began using electric instruments and modified songs from rock and jazz. The third, Gospel bluegrass, mixed gospel and christian lyrics.

Bluegrass music continues to grow in popularity, and is now played throughout the world and in all fifty states. Bluegrass is a style of music the entire family can enjoy.