Notes from the band
Roots of American Music
Stories of the West African traditions, musicians and instruments that continue to shape American sound.
Roots of American Music
African Banjo: Where Did the Banjo Originate?
The Ngoni (Ancestor of the Banjo)
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Roots of American Music
Where Did the Blues Originate? A Short History
The African American roots of the blues, from West African continuities to the Mississippi Delta.
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Roots of American Music
Where Did Jazz Originate? A New Orleans Story
How African American musicians in New Orleans shaped jazz from a meeting of rhythm, blues, brass bands and improvisation.
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Roots of American Music
Where Did Bluegrass Originate? Kentucky in the 1940s
Bluegrass originated in Kentucky and the wider South in the 1940s. Learn how Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys shaped the sound and its name.
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Roots of American Music
What Is Bluegrass Music? A Listener’s Guide
A clear guide to the instruments, drive, harmony and improvisation that give bluegrass its sound.
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Roots of American Music
Bluegrass vs. Country Music: What Is the Difference?
Bluegrass vs. country music: five listening differences in instruments, rhythm, vocals, solo breaks and arrangement.
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Roots of American Music
Bluegrass vs. Folk Music: What Is the Difference?
Bluegrass vs. folk music: five listening differences in instruments, rhythm, vocals, solo breaks and song traditions.
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Roots of American Music
Bluegrass vs. Old-Time Music: What Is the Difference?
A listening guide to the shared tunes, instruments and different ensemble habits of bluegrass and old-time music.
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Roots of American Music
Bluegrass Instruments: A Listener’s Guide
The six essential bluegrass instruments, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, bass and resonator guitar, and how they work together.
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Roots of American Music
Bluegrass Music Characteristics: How to Hear the Sound
What makes a song bluegrass? Listen for acoustic instruments, drive, close harmony, instrumental breaks and shared ensemble listening.
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Roots of American Music
What Is a Bluegrass Jam? A Listener’s Guide
How a bluegrass jam moves through songs, breaks, rhythm and shared listening.
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Roots of American Music
What Is Old-Time Music? A Listener’s Guide
A clear introduction to old-time music, its fiddle-and-banjo sound, dance roots and relationship with bluegrass.
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Roots of American Music
Blues vs. Bluegrass: What Is the Difference?
Blues vs. bluegrass: hear the difference in roots, rhythm, instruments, vocals and improvisation.
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Roots of American Music
What Is Bluegrass Rhythm? Hear the Drive
Learn how bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo and fiddle create bluegrass drive, and how to hear the pulse in a live string band.
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Roots of American Music
Bluegrass Percussion Instruments: What Keeps Time?
Does bluegrass use percussion? Hear how bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo and fiddle create a powerful pulse without a drum kit.
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