Bluegrass Music Origins
Courtesy of Monreagh Heritage Centre
Submitted by
Jim McKane, Ontario, Canada
jamckane[at]gmail.com
Modern day American country, bluegrass and folk music can be traced back to 18th century Ulster-Scots or Scots-Irish settlers. The dance tradition of the Appalachian region in the south-eastern part of the United States has very strong Ulster-Scot roots. The fiddle was the main instrument for providing backing for traditional songs. It was the 1st instrument in the Appalachian region all those years ago. Music and dance lightened the toil for the early settlers and provided entertainment at weddings and other gatherings.
