Introduction

For my composition I have chosen Country as my genre. This is because it has always been a genre I have gone back to and is different from all the other genres I listen to. With country music I feel like that is also more creative freedom as country music is not always the same and can feature a variety of different instruments. In this essay I am going to be talking about the background of country music, its characteristics and how it will help me with my composition.

 

Background

Country music was originated in the United States in rural areas of the South in the early 20th century (McKenna, 2024) and since its inception in the 1920s’ country music has evolved over the years with the emergence of various artists, bands and subgenres of country music, influenced by cultural and musical changes (Clark 2022). The first commercial country record was made by Eck Robertson in 1922 on the Victor Records Label and Vernon Dalhart had the first national country hit in 1924 with “Wreck of the Old ‘97”. But most historians point to 1924, the year Victor Records signed Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family, as the true moment country music was born. (Dooley, 2019).

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Characteristics of Country Music:

The essence of country music’s soul lies deeply embedded in is folk harmonies. Stringed harmonies are the lifeblood of the characteristics. The genres sonic landscape is unimaginable without a banjo, acoustic guitar and steel guitar. Twangy vocals is a key essential in country music. This vocal style is characterised by its sharp nasal sound, and it is deeply rooted in the Southern United States. (Stewart, 2024). Story telling is also an essential part of country music. This is due to its deep roots in Folk music. Stringed instruments play an important role in country music and shape the genres sound and style. Duets have been the staple of country music since the early days of the genre and have become a defining characteristic of the genre's sound (Music Notes 2023). Duets also bring the story to life within the song this will not only draw in the listener, but it will also help the listener to picture the story within the lyrics ensuring that the song will have a different meaning to each individual who listens to the song.

Country music uses a wide variety of instruments including the Banjo, steel Guitars, the Fiddle, Harmonicas and the Acoustic Guitar. (James,2022)

 

The Banjo:

The Banjo is visually and aurally one of the most recognisable instruments associated with country music. To the early recording and broadcasts of country music, the banjo brought not

only its distinctive frailing or finger picked sounds, but also its African and minstrel connotations. Today the banjo is enormously popular around the world, particularly the five-stringed form often performed in Bluegrass and other forms of Folk and country music. (Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 2024)

 

Steel Guitar:

The 1960s marked a significant shift in the country music landscape with the emergence if the Nashville sound. The steel guitar added a rich layer of emotion and warmth to the recordings (which can also help to add to the story line of the song/ lyrics), making it a central instrument in the Nashville sound era. In modern Country music, the steel guitar continues to play a crucial role, with some variations in style and presentation (Daykin, 2023).

 

The fiddle:

First brought to America from the British Isles, the fiddle has always been one of the principal instruments in Country music. Fiddling had existed in the United States for nearly three centuries prior to the beginning of Country music as a commercially popular music genre and has its roots in European dance music traditions. The word ‘fiddle,’ has been used to designate various bowed stringed instruments since the twelfth century, and when the violin emerged in the middle of the middle of the sixteenth century, it acquired the name ‘fiddle’ as an informal appellation. (Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 2024)

 

The Harmonica:

Invented in Europe in the 1820s, the mouth harmonica has a series of chambers containing reeds that vibrate as the player inhales and exhales. Due to most harmonicas being in a single key, it's not unusual to see a musician use a multiple of ‘harps’ over the night's performance. One of the first musicians to record in Nashville was harmonica player DeFord Bailey. Today, the tradition of the Harmonica is carried on by players such as Mickey Raphael (Country Hall of Fame and Museum, 2024).

 

Acoustic Guitar:

After delta blues, Country music was the first style of music of popular music based around the guitar and it had evolved in Europe by 1800 from a lute-like instrument, with paired stringed, into its present form with six single strings. Prior to the 1920s the guitar had been refined parlour instrument that was overshadowed in American popular music by the lute, minstrel banjo, mandolin, and tenor banjo.

 

The development of country music:

Over the years Country music has evolved massively as part of American culture. Rooted in tradition, this genre has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. From its humble beginnings as folk ballads and cowboy tunes, country music has evolved into a diverse and influential genre that resonates with people from all walks of life (Patricia, 2023). Country music traces its roots back to the early 20th century in the rural Southern United States. It draws heavily from folk music traditions brought by immigrants from the British Isles. They brought ballads, folk songs, and instrumental styles which became the foundational to country music (David, 2024). The 1900s saw a lot of change for America and the country music industry. This period made the music much more accessible, both for listeners and creators. The Grand Ole Oprey brought country music to a new audience as of November 28th, 1925, by playing country music on the radio, and eventually on television (Robertson, 2024). Alot has changed about country music as the internet and online music streaming is now wildly available, which allows people to reconnect with artists from the past. New singers have a hit scene and the use of new technology, and the use of new technology has often changed some of the signature sounds of the genre, but the idea of country music stayed the same. (Robertson).

 

Key Artists:

Even though there are many famous country artists such as Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain, Neil Young and Dolly Parton. However, here are many other good examples of country artists and their songs. Starting off with ‘Friends in Low Places’ by Garth Brooks, this song is a good example of Country music having a story behind the lyrics. The next song is ‘Take me Home Country Roads’ by John Denver (James). This song also features a story behind its lyrics However, I am Going to be taking inspiration from ‘Before he Cheats’ by Carrie Underwood. This is because the song is more one the pop side of country and is also what I am most drawn to when it comes to country music. I am also going to be taking inspiration from another big country artists, Noah Kahan, this is because he creates more modern-day country music however, he still involves the traditional instruments within his music. For example, in ‘Stick Season’ he uses a banjo and acoustic guitar which helps elevate the traditional feel to the song.

 

Creating my Composition:

For my composition I have decided to create a country song heavily influenced by the structure and lyrics of ‘Before he Cheats’ by Carrie Underwood. This is because, this song is what got me into country music, and it also lets me have some creativity within the lyrics and go for a sense of a breakup song. However, I can then add a duet into my piece to bring the story more to life. Another feature I like about ‘Before he Cheats’ that it uses a rock set up while including stringed instruments and acoustic guitar. However, I would also like to take inspiration from ‘Stick Season’ by Noah Kahan. This is because this song uses a lot of traditional instruments which I think would help bring the country feeling to life more within my piece. Another feature of this

song is the twangy vocals. I would like to also incorporate this within my piece as it will also help with the country feeling. For my recording I would like to use a software and a live band as this will allow me to collaborate with other musicians and have them play certain parts for me within my song. This will also help me to include multiple vocalists. Some instruments I would like to include are a rock set up, as this will help bring more power into my song. I would like some ukulele to bring a similar feel to the banjo. I would finally like to add some stringed instruments into my piece as it would not only help it to sound like more traditional country music, but to also help the vocals sound fuller.