What Is Country Music Anyway?
Author: Sintilia Miecevole

When many people think of country music, they think of sad
songs about lost loves, broken down trucks and runaway dogs. In
their minds, they are hearing all of these woes sung in the
traditional twangy country accents of the south. However, these
perceptions of country music are far from where this style of
music has evolved. Today, country music is one of the most
popular genres of music, normally outsold only by rock and pop
genres.

Created in the late 19th century, country music has under gone
many changes over the years. There are now many sub-genres to
this type of music, with some of the sub-genres being commonly
played on top 40 radio stations.

To understand country music, it is helpful to know about the
instruments commonly associated with it. In country music, one
of the most common instruments used is the fiddle (or violin).
Some of these instruments can be expensive, but most are
relatively inexpensive and are very easily transports since
they tare light in weight and not overly large. When country
music first 'hit the scene', the fiddle was practically the
only instrument used as accompaniment. However, as the country
music style became more popular, the addition of other
accompanying instruments became normal. The banjo became
popular in some country music pieces in the mid 1800s, while
the guitar did not break into the country music scene until the
early 1900s. Electric guitars did not become a regular
instrument in country music until much later in the 50s. Other
various instruments used in country music are the piano
(introduced in the 1930s) and the drums (used since the 1960s).
Rarely used, but distinctive sounding instruments are used in
certain country songs: the accordion, the harmonica, and the
washboards.

Country music has roots in several different styles of music.
Its beginnings started with the settlers that came from Europe.
During that time, many couldn't read or write, so songs were
created to pass history down from one generation to the next.
Although country ballads have changed a great deal, going from
the original songs about objective, though gruesome, events to
more personal, subjective ballads without all the gore.

Today, the sound of country music can sometimes be very similar
to other genres of pop and rock. Some country musicians, like
Shania Twain, have many songs playing on stations that aren't
considered "country". There are also musicians, like Sheryl
Crow, who are considered pop/rock, but have songs popular on
country stations.


About The Author: Sintilia Miecevole, host of
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