Owensboro & The Birth of Bluegrass
Bluegrass Music Instruments
Throughout history, the pattern is clear: major creative upheavals are often the result of two or more distinct cultures mixing in new and novel ways. This is why they tend to occur in cities with trade ports. On top of tea, spices, and other goods, ideas and concepts have always been a part of the exchange. The birth of bluegrass is no different. Although it is a distinctly American genre, a keen ear will pick up on traces of folk traditions from all around the globe. This is because, in the early years of America's history, Appalachia was a veritable melting pot of English, Scottish, and Irish immigrants, as well as enslaved peoples from Africa. The result was an unrepeatable fusion of cultures within the setting of the American south.
Indeed, the core bluegrass music instruments, the acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, and upright bass, all have a unique lineage that find their source in various parts of Europe and Africa. Let's take a look at each one.
The Acoustic Guitar
The acoustic guitar is the most familiar of the bunch, with a journey that traces back to the New York City workshop of a German immigrant named Christian Frederick Martin. Although the guitar had been used for centuries in Europe, C.F. Martin was the first to produce a guitar with steel strings. Ever since then, American songwriting has revolved around this 6-stringed instrument. There’s something inherently raw and honest about a songwriter bearing their soul over a simple chord progression— it’s an earnestness that speaks to the hearts of music lovers everywhere.In traditional bluegrass music, the guitarist employs a style known as “flatpicking,” a technique which allows the player to perform speedy runs up and down the neck of the guitar. Bluegrass guitar legends include Doc Watson, Lester Flatts, and George Shuffler. More recently, flatpicking has been brought into the mainstream by guitar phenom Billy Strings who often covers classic bluegrass tunes and writes original songs in a similar style.
The Banjo
Next up is the banjo, the instrument which gives bluegrass its signature twang. The sound is vibrant, resonant, and percussive all at once and has the power to instantly light up an audience. You can see this clearly in Grand Ole Opry recordings when a maestro like Earl Scruggs steps up to the mic and knocks it out of the park.The history of the banjo is just as fascinating as its iconic sound. Developed by enslaved Africans in America and the Caribbean, the creation of the banjo was an attempt to retain a cultural connection to Africa. Therefore, it is thought that the early banjos were modeled off an instrument from West Africa called the akonting. As history progressed, the musical stylings of Africa blended with European folk traditions and Appalachian folk was born. The banjo is a fascinating example of cultural mixing and integration.
The Mandolin
The mandolin is a small, yet mighty addition to the bluegrass family. It’s an 8-stringed instrument laid out in four pairs of four notes— G, D, A, and E. The strings are tuned one full octave above a standard guitar, which results in a bright, effervescent tone. Although it has strings, the main role of the mandolin in traditional bluegrass music is often rhythmic, holding down a steady downstroke on the two and four count of each phrase. This gives bluegrass the iconic bounce that draws people onto the dancefloor. Of course, the mandolin is also perfect for executing lightning-fast solos and melodic lines.The father of bluegrass himself, Bill Monroe, is one of the best-known mandolinists, along with modern devotees like Sam Bush and Chris Tile.
The Bluegrass Fiddle
A consistent fan favorite, the bluegrass fiddle is often tasked with highlighting the main melody of a song by sweetly singing lines above the band’s rhythmic foundation. Indeed, the fiddle is a powerful musical tool with the ability to electrify audiences. Kenny Baker, Art Wooten, and Scott Stoneman are some of the most prolific bluegrass fiddle players of the 20th century.Bowed instruments have roots that reach far back into human history with innovations occurring everywhere from China to Arabia to the Byzantine Empire. Eventually, these instruments made their way into Europe and evolved into the fiddle we know and love. On the shores of America, the old melodies of traditional English, Irish, and Scottish folk music took on new life. Ever since, the fiddle has been a staple of American music.
Last, but definitely not least, is the upright bass. This is the largest of the bluegrass instruments, weighing somewhere between 20-35 pounds and measuring over 6 feet in height. The size of the bass’ body is what allows the strings to resonate at low octaves, thereby providing the music with a warm bed of bass tones. The guitar, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle give bluegrass its hallmark brightness, but the upright bass is the sonic force that hits people right in the belly and provides the pulsing thump.
Famous upright players include Howard Watts, Roy Huskey Jr, Edgar Meyer, and the young virtuoso Scott Mulvahill who integrates the upright bass with modern MIDI technology to trigger loops while he simultaneously performs cutting-edge bass licks.
Famous Bluegrass Songs
Enough dilly dallying— it’s time to actually listen to famous bluegrass songs. If you’re new to the genre, these standards are performed in bluegrass jams from Nashville to the Netherlands.
Blue Moon of Kentucky
Originally written and performed by Bill Monroe and The Blue Grass Boys, “Blue Moon of Kentucky” embodies the spirit of bluegrass music. Thematically it touches on Southern country living and losing the one that you love, two perennial themes that will never be exhausted.
I’ll Fly Away
American music has undoubtedly been influenced by the country’s religious landscape and many Christian hymns have made their way into mainstream music. This is the case with “I’ll Fly Away,” a heaven-focused hymn written at the beginning of the 20th century. The most famous modern was recorded by Gillian Welch and Allison Krauss for the “O Brother, Where Art Thou” soundtrack.
Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Instrumental jams are very common in bluegrass music and often invoke stories that are just as vivid as songs with lyrics. These instrumentals center around a main chord progression with band members taking turns at soloing. Written by the seminal duo of Flatts & Scruggs, “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” is one of the prime examples of bluegrass instrumental music. Really, who needs lyrics anyway?
Owensboro’s Finest Apartments
Kentucky bluegrass music has shaped and been shaped by the culture and landscape of our beloved state. Here at Bluegrass Villas, we aim to honor this musical tradition by providing the best apartments in Owensboro. Along with an impressive list of in-home amenities, our residents gain access to a resort-style swimming pool, a fully equipped fitness center, and a stunning community clubhouse. At Bluegrass Villas, we know that your home is meant to be in harmony.