| When many people think of country music, they | | | | while the guitar did not break into the country |
| think of sad songs about lost loves, broken down | | | | music scene until the early 1900s. Electric guitars |
| trucks and runaway dogs. In their minds, they are | | | | did not become a regular instrument in country |
| hearing all of these woes sung in the traditional | | | | music until much later in the 50s. Other various |
| twangy country accents of the south. However, | | | | instruments used in country music are the piano |
| these perceptions of country music are far from | | | | (introduced in the 1930s) and the drums (used |
| where this style of music has evolved. Today, | | | | since the 1960s). Rarely used, but distinctive |
| country music is one of the most popular genres | | | | sounding instruments are used in certain country |
| of music, normally outsold only by rock and pop | | | | songs: the accordion, the harmonica, and the |
| genres. | | | | washboards. |
| Created in the late 19th century, country music | | | | Country music has roots in several different |
| has under gone many changes over the years. | | | | styles of music. Its beginnings started with the |
| There are now many sub-genres to this type of | | | | settlers that came from Europe. During that time, |
| music, with some of the sub-genres being | | | | many couldn't read or write, so songs were |
| commonly played on top 40 radio stations. | | | | created to pass history down from one |
| To understand country music, it is helpful to know | | | | generation to the next. Although country ballads |
| about the instruments commonly associated with | | | | have changed a great deal, going from the original |
| it. In country music, one of the most common | | | | songs about objective, though gruesome, events |
| instruments used is the fiddle (or violin). Some of | | | | to more personal, subjective ballads without all the |
| these instruments can be expensive, but most | | | | gore. |
| are relatively inexpensive and are very easily | | | | Today, the sound of country music can |
| transports since they tare light in weight and not | | | | sometimes be very similar to other genres of |
| overly large. When country music first 'hit the | | | | pop and rock. Some country musicians, like Shania |
| scene', the fiddle was practically the only | | | | Twain, have many songs playing on stations that |
| instrument used as accompaniment. However, as | | | | aren't considered "country". There are also |
| the country music style became more popular, | | | | musicians, like Sheryl Crow, who are considered |
| the addition of other accompanying instruments | | | | pop/rock, but have songs popular on country |
| became normal. The banjo became popular in | | | | stations. |
| some country music pieces in the mid 1800s, | | | | |