Complex Simplicity

It's often the simplest of things that touch us the deepest.

*Note: This post is about traditional Bluegrass songwriting. Many modern bands are expanding the Bluegrass genre harmonically with amazing sonic results.*

After several folk songs at one of his concerts, an attendee shouted at Neil Diamond that it "all sounds the same," to which Neil promptly replied, "it's all the same song". This is often a complaint lobbed at folk and roots music, and Bluegrass is no exception. To discover the intricacies of any music takes a basic understanding of it, so in this blog post I'm going to explain Bluegrass harmony, and why it's often simpler than jazz or other styles of modern music. Bluegrass is created using relatively simple chord progressions, moving primarily between the first, fourth, and fifth chords of the key. This does not mean that Bluegrass is simple music or 'dumbed down'', far from it. Bluegrass musicians rely on simple harmonic structures that are rooted in tradition, helping give Bluegrass its signature sound. Players focus their efforts on instrumental virtuosity and playing from the soul instead of trying create a radical new sound to turn heads.
Any person who picks up any instrument will sound different from anyone else who plays the same instrument, and any band that plays any song will play it differently from any other band that has ever played that song. This is an over simplification of the hard work and sweat Bluegrass musicians put into their songs, but it will give you an idea of how this community works.
Bluegrass musicians love playing, when they're not on stage you'll often find them jamming on well known standards in living rooms, on stoops, or, at Grey Fox, outside the tent. The music is a means of self expression, but it is also a community. Players speak more with their instruments than they do with their mouths, many friendships (and bands) started as impromptu jam sessions.
This love is shared by the fans. Bluegrass and Roots music have the most loyal and supportive fan base of any music scene because the fans know what they like, and will give back tenfold when a band delivers. The combination works well, because Bluegrass musicians love playing good music, which is exactly what audiences want to hear. This isn't to say they're not open to the new, bands like Greensky Bluegrass, Crooked Still and the Rocking Acoustic Circus are combining their roots with more contemporary sounds to the delight of Bluegrass crowds. Audiences here like a band that pays homage to its roots, and if they do it well they can expand their sound in any way they see fit.
Bluegrass can build incredibly layered and complex songs on some simple chord progressions, and touch people as deeply as any other style of music. All musicians and writers can learn from this. Instead of adding so many big changes and turns in art, why not focus on the subtleties? The melodies being played and the rhythm of the back up instruments, the clarity of your notes and tone of your voice. Remember, the way your singing the words is often more important than the words your singing.

Photo by Alex Muri