What is the difference between classical and country music?

Answer 1

Classical Music is generally seen as the oldest genre of western music in history. It spans from about 1100 AD to present day neo-classiclism. It is impossible to truly define but once heard, it is very easy to discern. It uses traditional instrumentations (mostly string heavy but with liberal brass usage). Some famous classical composers would be J.S. Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy.

Country is a relatively new form of music originating mostly from the southern United States. It uses many folk themes and comprises of the iconic instruments: guitar, banjo and fiddle. Music of this sort is associated with the south and/or the lonesome farmer sitting on his porch with a bead of grain hanging from his mouth while he plays his tunes. It has an element of 'swing' to it. The most well known contemporary country artist would most likely be Taylor Swift (though she is more pop than country).

Answer 2

Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and is a sub-genre of Country Music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music. Bluegrass was inspired by the music of immigrants from the United Kingdom and Ireland (particularly the Scotch-Irish immigrants in Appalachia), and was influenced by the music of African-Americans through incorporation of elements of jazz.

In bluegrass, as in some forms of jazz, one or more instruments each takes its turn playing the melody and improvising around it, while the others perform accompaniment; this is especially typified in tunes called breakdowns. This is in contrast to old-time music, in which all instruments play the melody together or one instrument carries the lead throughout while the others provide accompaniment. Breakdowns are often characterized by rapid tempos, and unusual instrumental dexterity and sometimes complex chord changes.

Bluegrass music has attracted a diverse and loyal following worldwide. Bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe characterized the genre as: "Scottish Bagpipes and ole-time fiddlin'. It's Methodist and Holiness and Baptist. It's blues and jazz, and it has a high lonesome sound."