What exactly is country music? Why is Taylor Swift classified as a country singer?

Country music is a unique mainstream music style in America. It has some unique musical instruments, such as folk guitar, violin, banjo and mandala, which are widely used. There will also be a more obvious style in content. The folk songs here are somewhat similar.

As for why Taylor Swift was classified as a country singer, Taylor was a fan of country music when he was a child, and he decided to become a country music singer. He signed up as the youngest songwriter at the age of 13, and moved to Nashville (the holy land of American country music) to realize his dream. In fact, she is more considered to be popular in the countryside. Although many people say that her second album is becoming more and more popular, and the content of the song is not a common theme in traditional country songs, she still belongs to a country singer, which is determined by the instruments, playing methods, arrangement and singing in the songs. Country music is bound to change. Taylor Swift brought the younger generation back to the world of country music.

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The two most important components of country music are string accompaniment (usually guitar or electric guitar, and often Hawaiian guitar and violin) and singer's voice. Country music abandons the "electronic" sound (effector) widely used in pop music. Most importantly, the singer's voice is the symbol of country music (folk songs), and the singers of country music are almost all southern American accents, at least rural accents.

Characteristics in characteristics

However, as important as music itself is the content of music, and in this respect, country music is very different from pop music, rock music, rap music and other genres. Country music generally has eight themes: first, love; Second, lovelorn; Third, cowboy humor; Fourth, have fun; 5. Rural lifestyle; Sixth, the pride of the region; Seven, the family; Eight, god and the country. The first two themes are by no means unique to country music, but the last six themes distinguish country music from other American pop music genres. In short, country people have their own sense of humor; Like cowboy crazy play; Live in a completely different way from city people; Be proud of your town, state and region; Attach great importance to family; Not ashamed to express religious feelings and patriotic feelings. These themes distinguish country music from music such as britney spears and Super Boy.

Early country music (early country)

Country music in early commercial operation is in the same strain as the traditional folk songs brought by British immigrants in the southern United States in the 18 and 19 centuries. However, the early country music did not adhere to the tradition of oral narration, but often used the violin as an instrument to play melody instead of human voice. John Carson, a country musician, combined these two traditions and sang and played his song "78" at 1923, which is regarded as the first best-selling single of early country music.

The most famous group in this period is undoubtedly the Carter family-their importance to the development of country music cannot be overemphasized. They are advocates of southern folk traditions. They are considered as "the first family of country music", and their song "The Circle Will Not Be Broken" is the same model of country music as "Wild Flowers" and "Wild Wood Flowers", and it is also the first time to introduce Maybelle Carter's infectious guitar style to people. Stoneman in Galex, Virginia, was also a pioneer of early country music.

"Father of Country Music" James Rodgers. He raised the public's acceptance of country music to a new height and was one of the most influential singers in the history of pop music. His unique voice and lyrics have brought national fame to the poor. Therefore, he laid a new solid foundation for country music. The originality of his short recording career (1927-33) and his singing and writing style are not out of date even now.

Cowboy (cowboy)

Cowboy music comes from Americans' fascination with the Great West, which is also reflected in Hollywood movies. Country people have now become well-dressed and energetic cowboy boys and girls, singing romantic songs from the countryside. It shows the romantic scene of lonely grassland. In westerns, there is always a scene where free cowboys sing around a bonfire and chase a long-distance bus after a hard day's work. This clean dress has been adopted by many musicians, such as gene autry, roy rogers and the son of pioneers, which makes country music more and more popular.

West swing

During the Great Depression, a kind of music was born in dirty dance halls in Texas and Oklahoma. Western swing music grafted the feeling of country music on the complex jazz rhythm. Adopt a lineup that is different from traditional country music and closer to big bands (generally including trumpets). Bob Wells soon won the crown of this kind of music without dispute. With the improvisation of his band "Texas Playboy", he is a real innovator. On any night, he has the ability to play his companions and his best, which has had a far-reaching impact in the history of country music. Other western swing bands include Milton Brown (and his music Brownie), the founder of eclectic music, and Sparta Cooley. Today, bands like Sleep on Wheels continue this country music tradition.

Bluegrass music (bluegrass)

A kind of exquisite, pure and original music, which is easy to identify. Compromise music has two or three harmonies, with intense rhythm and unrestrained emotions. This kind of "lonely and high-pitched" voice came into being in the "String Band Movement" in the late 1920s, and became famous in the band "The Blue Gass Boys" originated from the founder Bill Monroe. Bluegrass music was popularized by Bonnie Clyde and Beverly Hillbilly in the late 1960s, and won a brand-new audience. Today, bluegrass music still maintains a high influence, such as the famous country musician Alison Krauss.

Bar music (Hongyu-Tonk)

A free-flowing, usually noisy music form that originated in bars in the south after the war. In the late 1940s, the theater of country music changed from a public social occasion to a bar, and performers were no longer worried about constantly preaching "family ethics" in their songs. Therefore, the lyrics often reflect the hard and cold reality of modern blue-collar workers.

Hank williams's songs fascinated women and made men imitate them, which made this inferior bar become the mainstream of country music in the early 1940s. He lived as he sang, but his excessive lifestyle eventually led to his early death at the age of 29.

Rock and roll (Rockabilly)

/kloc-Memphis in 0/953, the racial boundaries in music are also clearly divided. Most black people listen to R&B; B) At that time, country music was very popular with white people. In order to find a way to blend black and white music, producer Sam Phillips wants to find a white boy who can sing black songs for his record company Sun Records. So there was Elvis Presley-Elvis Presley.

He produced classic songs such as Bill Monroe's Blue Moon in Kentucky and Blue Moon in Kentucky, and trained pioneering artists such as Elvis Presley. Producer Sam Phillips created a mixed music form called "Rockabilly". Although this form of music was not popular in 1950s, many different musicians, such as johnny cash, Jerry Lee Lenice and carl perkins, started their musical careers by recording this kind of songs.

Voice of Nashville

The Voice of Nashville is mainly composed of piano, strings and background harmony, which is different from the traditional violin and banjo accompaniment, and this is also a well-known feature of the Voice of Nashville. In the late 1950s, with the gradual decline of country music, some producers, such as chet atkins and Owen Bradley, consciously expanded the taste of country music and made it closer to mainstream pop music.

In the early 1960s, almost all country artists, from Patsy Cline to the Browns (with the help of a large group of musicians in Nashville Studio), achieved this transformation, which made many such songs top the country and pop charts.

rockabilly

A form of music originated in California and later interacted with the hippie movement, bringing their feeling of "returning to nature" to country music. Because they are cursed by the value of taking drugs and storing hair in traditional country music, country rock artists try their best to develop the tastes of those traditional fans.

Pioneers in the late 1960s, such as gram parsons (and the Byrd Brothers, the Flying Burrito Brothers and later emmylou harris), added rock rhythm to traditional homesickness and heartbreaking country songs. Later, some bands, such as the Eagles, brought this mixed music form to the top of the pop charts. Today, people like Desert Roses (led by Byrd's collaborator Chris Hill Mann) continue this musical tradition.

Banning movement

The so-called "apostasy" is just a continuation of the country music tradition that emphasizes the root color. This is the betrayal of Nashville Voice. This is not a new type of music, but a return to tradition and a betrayal of the production system at that time.

The central figure of this storm is Willie Nelson. 1968, Nashville refused to update his more personalized music, which made him very depressed. Nelson left Nashville for Austin, Texas, where he started his annual concert and attracted other similar singers who didn't attract attention at that time, such as Wayne Jennings and kris kristofferson.

Their simple and deep-rooted attempt is to maintain its unique and even rude personal expression before country music caters to the public's taste. The "apostasy movement" not only catered to the out-and-out country music fans, but also got a response on the radio and on campus. The result 1976 is like Waylon &；; Willie's wish, "The Desperado" became the first album in the history of country music with a sales volume of one million, which opened the door to country music with fundamental characteristics.

New traditional country

A musical style, returning to an era when artistry and musicality are more important than image. Neo-traditionalism seeks inspiration from early country music, which is a well-known pioneer of new country music in the future. Ricky Scaggs, a rare genius, was inspired by Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley. He surpassed all artists at that time and brought country music back to its origin. Not only can the tradition be carried forward and created, but it is also very popular. Scaggs is not alone. Just like Randy Travis, he brought traditionalism to the forefront of country music with his beautiful melody and beautiful voice.

New Country Music (Xinxiang Village)

A form of country music, which is used to describe the root of the return in the mid-1980s. But with a little guitar and drums, this country music is closer to rock pop music. Garth brooks Brooks Company. A large number of artists such as Dunn, shania twain and leann rimes are listed in this catalogue. It does not use violin, acoustic guitar and other musical instruments, which is what distinguishes it from traditional country music.

Alternative country music

Contemporary derivatives of country rock music emphasize noisy electric guitar, which makes it closer to rock music than country music. The name of this rising movement "No Depression" comes from a song by the Carter family, who hold high the banner of freedom and self-sufficiency, and their records are also released by some independent small brands. Uncle Tupelo (now dead) and the Song Ying team were pioneers of this movement, and now their sons Volt, Wilco and Golden Smoke push it to a climax.

Back to music (retro)

With clear guitar sound and unique lyrics, retro can be traced back to the country music before the Voice of Nashville, initiated by musicians such as Junior Brown, BR5-49, Big Sandy, Fly Rite Boys and Wayne Hancock.

The Rebellious Era of Country Music

The 1960s was the most brilliant decade in the history of country music, during which top country musicians like george jones, Johny Cash and Patsy Cline appeared. However, due to the popularity of country music, Nashville's position as a country music center has been challenged. For example, Backsfield in California and Austin in Texas have become one of the future country music centers because of the appearance of famous singers. By the 1970s, country music had become obsolete, so a "rebel movement" changed the traditional mode of country music. The original way that producers choose songs and arrange the production of tracks has met with strong opposition from many people. They demand that they choose their own songs, make their own songs, reflect their own way of thinking and safeguard their publishing rights. Willie Nelson led the "rebel movement".

From 65438 to 0968, producers in Nashville strongly rejected Nelson's fresh personalized music, so William Nelson left Nashville and went to Austin, Texas. There, he started an annual concert, which attracted a group of young people with the same hobbies. Their simple and deep-rooted style and personalized expression make country music present a more complicated situation.

When new concepts are merged, an argument arises, "What is country music?"

Kenny rogers, a famous country singer, replied: "Country music is all the music that country people buy." A simple answer perfectly explains the voices of all country musicians, that is, what is country music is not important, but how to make country listeners feel different, fresh and familiar country life experiences.

In view of the complexity of country music, here are three different styles of country music for your reference.

Country blues is a combination of country music and blues music. Representative figures are Charlie Ritchie and roy rogers.

Pop country music, that is, mixing more pop music elements into country music, is more easily accepted and loved by people. Representative figures include kenny rogers, Reba McIntyre, etc.

Country rock, that is, the combination of country music and rock music (see the rock music section for details).