The various types of music brought to America by the people who immigrated here in the early 1600's is considered to be the roots of bluegrass music. This would include the dance music and the ballads from Ireland, Scotland and England. It also includes African American gospel music and blues that the slaves from Africa contributed. The website www.bluegrassrocks.com states that bluegrass music was first introduced during the 1940's. This style of American country music grew from the music of Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys. The author informs us that the basic instruments used in bluegrass music are the guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle, all string instruments. Bluegrass bands have four to seven singers, all accompany themselves on their string instruments. The traditional folk songs as well as songs that have been newly composed are all part of their programs. As the early settlers moved to the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky and the Virginias, they continued to compose music that reflected their daily experiences in this new land. In addition to the traditional bluegrass music, some bluegrass bands today have been influenced by other types of music. Some bluegrass bands incorporate music from new sources such as jazz, Celtic music, rock & roll and Southern gospel music. Bluegrass music continues to be popular and is performed and enjoyed in American and around the world. The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has members in all 50 of the United States and in 30 countries around the world.
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