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.