Learn About the Music
So what is Old Time, Bluegrass, Folk and Traditional music? I would say it is backwoods and mountain music. Music that was passed down from person to person, passed from one generation to the next; it is music that is influenced by culture, family, ethnicity and era.
The music strengthened the ties of a community – they were stories or labor songs and songs that expressed the thoughts and feelings of a point in history.
Now there is a definite difference in each of these styles. You can read my simple explanations but I highly suggest you just take a listen and you will hear and feel the differences.
Old Time - Old Time music is a form of roots music that was passed down from generation to generation. This is music that was played as a form of entertainment since radios and television were not around yet. This is not bluegrass as some people think. It is more mountain music or backwoods music than that. The Carter Family brought this music to the masses with the introduction of the record player and radio.
Bluegrass - Bluegrass music was popularized by Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys. Bluegrass really got going in the late 40's and 50's with that high lonesome sound we often hear about. While Bluegrass definitely was influenced by Old Time Music, this style of music has gone onto influence many newgrass and rock bands.
Folk/Traditional - When people hear of Folk they often think of the early 60's Folk Movement. I like to think that Folk music is so much more then that. Actually, I like to think Folk is Traditional music and Traditional music is Folk music. Like Old Time it was passed down and often times has a story.
Again, these are simple ways I distinguish these genres of music. There is definitely a difference but also a lot of crossover. I encourage you to formulate you own opinon or better yet just sit back and enjoy the sounds.
