The musical characteristics of Country

 The musical characteristics of Country

Tonality 

The typical tonality of a country song is major, and the typical chord progression is (I, IV, V). Now country songs can have a mix of major and minor tonality while still feeling bright and lively

Harmony 

 Typically the (I, IV, V) chord progression is played with dominant 7 chords creating a more bluesy sound which is normal for a country song

Extensions 

 Other extensions typical in country music is augmented 4th's and minor 6th chords

Scales 

 The most typical country scales are the major pentatonic scale, the blues scale and the major scale

Riffs 

 The country genre doesn't use the typical riff, there are often different techniques to achieve the country riff such as fingerpicking to create a fast, sharp, percussive sound

Rhythms 

 Country typical has a 4/4 time often featuring a "boom-chick" sound or alternating bass pattern, country can also have a shuffle pattern which is borrowed from Blues and Jazz

Melody 

The typical melody of a country song uses a 3-chord progression featuring instruments like the banjo, acoustic guitar and fiddle

 Country songs are known for having catchy hooks in the songs that make them recognizable and sometimes the melody can be folk inspired with its straight forward sound

Instruments 

 The typical instruments in the country genre are guitars (acoustic, electric and sometimes with a steel pedal), fiddle, banjo, a lot of percussion, mandolin, and a bass

 Usually these instruments always sound clean for a true raw sound

Textures 

The most typical texture of country is Homophonic with its clear melody assisted by diatonic chord progressions

Lyrics 

 Often the country lyrics feature elements of story telling with themes of love, heartbreak, family and hard work

Instrumental Techniques  

 The number 1 technique in country music is finger picking which allows more complex melodies, another typical technique is the walking bass and the steel pedal which changes the pitch of the strings producing a sliding, wailing sound from the guitar. Improvisation is less common in country music however sometimes lyrics can be improvised from telling a story and there are vocal techniques like vocal flips and adding twang that can be improvised.

Important notation

< This is the opening little guitar solo for the country song "American Honky Tonk Bar Association", making it instantly recognizable to the listener.

3 Sub-genres of Country

- 3 subgenre's of country are Bluegrass, Rockabilly and country rock.

- All 3 genre's share the similarity of shared roots because they were influenced by traditional country and American folk music. They also all share the element of storytelling in the lyrics.

- Bluegrass is known for emphasizing the acoustic instruments like the fiddle, banjo, mandolin and  acoustic guitar. It's vocal style is known for its high harmonies creating a "high lonesome sound". The tempo of bluegrass is usually fast paced with fast instrumental solos. The subgenre is influenced by traditional folk and mountain music. The Dead South - You Are My Sunshine [Official Music Video]

- Rockabilly typically utilizes the electric guitar, acoustic guitar, upright bass and sometimes piano, with distinct rhythm sections. The vocal of rockabilly is quite unique using "hiccups", "stutters" and vocal "swoops". Rockabilly has a fast aggressive sound, with a "contagious beat" and strong R&B influence. It is a direct blend of country and R&B. Sweet Love on My Mind

- Country rock has a wider range of instruments usually electric guitars, basses, drums and it can include more traditional country instruments like steel pedals and steel guitars. The vocals are more diverse with the rock influence mixed with traditional country phrasing. Country rock can have a very broad tempo with the energy of a typical rock song but with the reflective nature of country. Country rock is a mix of rock and roll, folk, bluegrass and traditional country. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man - Live At The Florida Theatre / 2015

Opinions on Subgenre's 

- My favourite of the 3 subgenre's is Bluegrass because of the vocal harmonies, they manage to be so powerful yet so isolating which I think is rare to hear.

Famous musicians in each sub-genre

- A famous Bluegrass musician is Bill Monroe, he is labelled as the "Father of Bluegrass". He created the genre and he led a band called the Blue Grass Boys Band.

- A famous Rockabilly musician is Carl Perkins, labelled as the "King of Rockabilly" he pioneered the genre and he is most known for his song "Blue Suede Shoes".

- A famous Country rock musician is Johnny Cash, he was a important figure of country music because he blended country, rock, blues and gospel, influencing outlaw movement's.

Evolution of Country

- Country music started in the 1920s with the blend of Appalachian folk music and Blues with storytelling narratives. The instruments started all acoustic then with the introduction of fusion new instruments were introduced such as the electric guitar and bass. In the 1960s country had a more smoother sound which felt more pop-oriented. Genre's like Country rock was rising with less limitation on how country should sound. Now country is such a diverse genre not held back with certain themes it is also now gaining more followers because Pop singers such as Beyonce are producing country music.

What Country has in common with other styles

- Country music shares the theme of storytelling, relatable themes, simpler chord structures and the use of core acoustic stringed instruments with the other genres.