American country music is characterized by simple melody, steady rhythm, narrative, strong local flavor, cordial enthusiasm without losing popular elements. Most of them are ballad, two-part or three-part forms.

Extended information:

Accompaniment instruments of American country music:

1. Accordion

A vocal instrument developed in Europe in the early 19th century. When playing, it hangs on the chest like a vest, and there are keyboards on the left and right sides, which are connected by a bellows. Sound is produced by air pulled by bellows passing through a piston controlled by a keyboard.

The accordion was first used in country music such as conjunto, tejano and cowboy music.

Clifton Chenier, a recent accordion player, set a standard for contemporary Cajun music and influenced Zachary Richard and others.

Basil Duhon cooperated with Jimmy C. Newman, the star of the country theater, to make Cajun music more suitable for accordion playing, and Flaco Jimeney is the most popular accordion player in conjunto music today.

2. Harp

A member of the Zither family, when playing the harp, one hand plucks the strings, and the other hand controls the size of the strings.

in the 192s, it was first brought into the field of country music by Ernest "Pop" Stoneman and attracted people's attention. Later, it was further developed by Sara Catter, a member of The Carter Family. Bryan Bowers, a folk artist, is one of the outstanding harp players today.

3. The harmonica

was produced in Europe in the 182s. The harmonica produces sound through the vibration of a series of reeds inside the harmonica caused by the exhalation and inhalation of the player.

Because most harmonicas have only one key, it's hard to see a musician using the harmonica all night. Harmonica player and country boss theater star DeFord Bailey was one of the first musicians to record in Nashville.

after joining Opry in p>1926, Baiky made a tour that fascinated Roy Acuff and Bill Monroe. Today, the tradition of playing harmonica in country music is inherited by musicians like Mickey Raphael (a member of Will Nelson), Charlie McCoy and Terry McMillan in Nashville.

4. Mandolin

A member of the lute family, the mandolin was introduced to America from Italy in the 19th century. This is a kind of ukulele with fingerboard, and its range is closer to that of violin.

In the early days, when musicians like Robert Gardner of Mac and Bob worked hard to promote this instrument, it was Bill Monroe who established the mandolin as an important instrument in the history of country music.

In fact, the father of bluegrass music made the whole music world fall for the mandolin in his hand.

Monroe was followed by Jesse McReynolds of Jim and Jesse, Bobby O**orne, the oldest theater star of O**orne Brothers, Texas Playboy Tiny Moore and Jethro Burns.

mandolin broadens the scope of bluegrass music, and today's performers including Ronie McCoury, Sam Bush, David Grisman and Tim O'Brien continue Monroe's playing tradition.

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