Instruments

Typically the instruments for a traditional country band are steel guitar, drums, a fiddle, Harmonica and a bass. In the concerts, guitar and drums were hugely played for most of the part. Guitar and drums are very common in country music. Also, Harmonica is an influential instrument associated with the country music. Harmonica was also played in the concert as well. This little instrument was played by the musician by blowing into a sequence of chambers assembled with reeds. As the singer inhaled and exhaled, the reeds vibrated. They created high-pitched sound.

Throughout the concert, the acoustic guitar was used prominently. The guitar accompanied the song in various ways. At the beginning of some songs, the musician played root position chords in the left hand and then move on from there to different chords. Sometimes he played the chords swiftly when the music was fast and sometimes he used chords slowly. It actually depended on the style and the meter of the songs.

Based off of the two performances our group attended – Zane Williams and Buster Jiggs – it is evident that the main instruments involved with this music culture are the drums, guitar and slide guitar. Zane Williams had more of an acoustic bluegrass influence as he describes. This is due in part to the fact that he also incorporated a mandolin and fiddle into his performance. On the other hand, the group Buster Jiggs had more of a rock foundation in their music. This is made clear by their lack of more traditional stringed instruments like the ones used by Zane Williams. Although the two groups are considered country, their subgenre style ultimately determines their instrument selection and use. However, it is still safe to say that most bands and singers of this music culture share the common characteristics of having drums and guitars.

(Zane Williams, Buster Jiggs)