Directory of Bluegrass Resources

Home > Arts > Music > Styles > B > Bluegrass

Bluegrass is a style of southern string band music developed by Bill Monroe in the 1930s and 1940s. Bill Monroe's records with the Blue Grass Boys were so popular on the radio that announcers began using the term "bluegrass music." Typical instrumentation is fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, dobro, and bass. Bluegrass comes from mountain, gospel, and blues music, and generally involves a traditional, often melancholy, subject. It is played by an acoustic string band, which may be augmented by traditional instruments, such as the harmonica, mouth harp, accordion, jug, and spoons. Bluegrass is frequently characterized by virtuoso string playing, as with Monroe playing the mandolin, or Earl Scruggs the banjo; and the mandolin, following Monroe's example, is a prominent part of most bands. The tempo of the music is frequently fast, highlighting the skill of the performers. A striking feature of bluegrass is the intensely high and pure tone of lead vocalists, particularly in songs of longing or loss, as heard in the singing of Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss, and, of course, Monroe himself.

Subcategories

• Bands and Artists
• Festivals
• Lyrics
• Magazines and E-zines
• Radio
• Record Labels
• Regional
• Shopping
• Tablature

Resources in This Category

• A Lil Country A Lil Grass

  http://heavens-gates.com/country/
  Sample recordings of traditional bluegrass and country music.

• ArtistWorks Academy of Bluegrass

  http://artistworks.com/bluegrass-lessons
  Interactive online learning schools in a variety of instruments including banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, and double bass. Students receive feedback on their playing when they submit videos.

• Barb Diederich's Handy Bluegrass Links

  http://www.barbdiederich.com/links/
  Directory of over 2000 links to bluegrass related sites.

• Bluegrass / Acoustic Music Web Ring

  http://www.webring.org/hub?ring=thebluefields&l
  Web ring for bluegrass and acoustic music bands, fans, and instrument builders.

• Bluegrass and Baseball

  https://myspace.com/bluegrassandbaseball
  Bluegrass and baseball profile on myspace with photos, videos, personal blog, and connections between the two American pastimes.

• Bluegrass Bios

  http://bluegrassbios.com/
  Profiles of bluegrass performers past and present, on-line, or bound in a three-ring binder. Aimed primarily at bluegrass deejays, a new edition is released annually.

• Bluegrass College

  http://www.bluegrasscollege.org/
  On-line learning resource for bluegrass players of all skill levels. Downloads, recordings, notation and video for bass, banjo, dobro, fiddle, guitar, mandolin and voice.

• Bluegrass Guitar

  http://bluegrassguitar.com/
  A source of information about the acoustic flat-top guitar and the playing styles used in bluegrass music.

• Candlewater.com

  http://www.candlewater.com/
  Roots music depository for articles, musician interviews, photos, movies and mp3 files. Featured are Frank Wakefield, Bill Monroe, Kenny Baker, Jesse McReynolds, Bob Black and others.

• European Bluegrass Music Association (EBMA)

  http://www.ebma.org/
  Official site of the organization promoting bluegrass throughout Europe. EBMA membership, bylaws and directory, festival and concert listings, European Bluegrass Weblog, Bluegrass Europe magazine, and the European World of Bluegrass (EWOB) Festival and Trade Show.

• Free Bluegrass Backing Tracks

  http://fbbts.com/
  Provides free backing tracks for bluegrass music practice, with the ability to speed up or slow down the tracks to suit ability. Also a number of common chord progressions for practice and study.

• International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)

  http://www.ibma.org/
  Professional trade association promoting the music in the US and over thirty foreign countries. Information on membership, World of Bluegrass events, the annual trade show, IBMA award winners, Grammy winners, Hall of Honor, Fan Fest, educational efforts, and membership forms.

• Just Bluegrass Music

  http://www.jbmsound.com/
  Bluegrass sound reinforcement company and recording studio in Nashville, TN.

• Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America

  http://www.spbgma.com/
  SPBGMA has an annual convention and seeks to preserve the traditional spirit and art form of bluegrass. Festival calendar, events, news, SPBGMA awards, multimedia, artist and business links, and how to join.

• The Pickin' Porch

  http://www.pickinporch.org/
  A weekly two-hour bluegrass and old-time music show hosted by Tim White.

Related Categories

• Home > Arts > Music > Instruments > Stringed > Banjo
• Home > Arts > Music > Instruments > Stringed > Guitar > Styles > Bluegrass
• Home > Arts > Music > Instruments > Stringed > Mandolin
• Home > Arts > Music > Instruments > Winds > Harmonica > Styles > Bluegrass
• Home > Regional > North America > United States > Arts and Entertainment > Music > Styles > Folk > Old-Time Appalachian

 

Home > Arts > Music > Styles > B > Bluegrass

 

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