Bluegrass is a genre of American music that grew in the 1940s from the country music of Bill Monroe and his group, the Blue Grass Boys. Its mother genre is Country, but often people say that it stands alone as its own thing. Bluegrass includes traditional repertoire and acoustic instruments.

Bluegrass was not created for the purpose of dancing. Specifically, it was a form of music created by Bill Monroe for performances at the Grande Ole Opry and for recordings. There is only one instrument or voice singing lead (there is no unison). Whatever instrument is not responsible for lead takes the role of rhythm or counter melodies. The emphasis for the beat is on beats 2 and 4 (4/4 time) or beats 2 and 3 (¾ or waltz). Also known as the “backbeat” (so it actually has more in common with rock and roll than country). Singers and lead instruments play slightly ahead of the beat, which creates a more “driving” sound to the music.

Notable performers who have initiated bluegrass instrumental techniques are Earl Scruggs (banjo) and Monroe (mandolin).

There are many common instruments including the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and double bass.

Artists

• Peggy Honeywell
• Buckethead
• Alison Krauss & Union Station
• Bill Monroe
• Flatt & Scruggs
• Ricky Skaggs