Traditional bluegrass, as the name implies,
emphasizes the traditional elements of
bluegrass music, and stands in opposition to
progressive bluegrass. Traditional bluegrass musicians
are likely to play
folk songs, songs with simple traditional chord
progressions, and use only acoustic instruments. In the
early years, traditional bluegrass sometimes included
instruments no longer accepted in mainstream bluegrass, such
as washboards and mouth harps. Traditional bands may use
bluegrass instruments in slightly different ways (clawhammer
style of banjo playing, or multiple guitars or fiddles
within a band). In this sub-genre, the guitar
rarely takes the lead (the notable exception being gospel
songs), remaining a rhythm instrument. Melodies and lyrics
tend to be simple, and a I-iv-V chord pattern is very
common.
