bluegrass
Acoustic string instruments define the bluegrass sound. This topic is part of Genres within Music. This page currently draws on 16 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
bluegrass trivia questions
Bluegrass music commonly features banjo, fiddle, guitar, and what?
Answer: Mandolin
Bonus fact: Acoustic string instruments define the bluegrass sound.
Bluegrass takes its name from a nickname for which U.S. state?
Answer: Kentucky
Bonus fact: Kentucky is called the Bluegrass State.
Which instrument is commonly associated with bluegrass and usually has five strings?
Answer: Banjo
Bonus fact: The five-string banjo is a defining sound in much bluegrass music.
Who is known as the 'Father of Bluegrass'?
Answer: Bill Monroe
Bonus fact: Smithsonian Folkways says Bill Monroe originated and perfected bluegrass's high-pitched 'high, lonesome sound.'
Bluegrass music was named after which Bill Monroe band?
Answer: The Blue Grass Boys
Bonus fact: Smithsonian Folkways says the genre took its name from Bill Monroe's band, The Blue Grass Boys, which was performing in the 1940s.
Which musician is especially associated with bluegrass's 'high, lonesome sound'?
Answer: Bill Monroe
Bonus fact: Smithsonian Folkways describes bluegrass singing as usually high-pitched in the style of Bill Monroe.
Which instrument is commonly found in a bluegrass band?
Answer: 5-string banjo
Bonus fact: A typical bluegrass band listed by Smithsonian Folkways includes 5-string banjo, flat-top guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and bass.
In bluegrass, what does 'passing a break' mean?
Answer: Taking turns playing instrumental solos
Bonus fact: Smithsonian Folkways describes soloing in bluegrass as 'passing a break,' with players taking turns in the spotlight.
How does old-time ensemble playing typically differ from bluegrass?
Answer: All instruments often play the melody together
Bonus fact: Bluegrass commonly passes the lead melody between instruments, while old-time musicians more often play the melody together.
Which 1956 Folkways release is described as the first-ever full-length bluegrass LP?
Answer: American Banjo: Three-Finger and Scruggs Style
Bonus fact: Smithsonian Folkways says this 1956 album began a long association between Folkways Records and bluegrass music.
In what year did Folkways release the first-ever full-length bluegrass LP identified in its Classic Bluegrass notes?
Answer: 1956
Bonus fact: The album was 'American Banjo: Three-Finger and Scruggs Style.'
A common bluegrass banjo has how many strings?
Answer: Five
Bonus fact: The five-string banjo includes a short high-pitched drone string.