Bluegrass

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The invention of the phonograph and the onset of the radio in the early 1900s brought this old-time music out of the rural Southern mountains to people all over the United States.

The Monroe Brothers were one of the most popular duet teams of the 1920s and into the 1930s. Charlie played the guitar, Bill played the mandolin and they sang duets in harmony. When the brothers split up as a team in 1938, both went on to form their own bands. Since Bill was a native of Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, he decided to call his band "Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys," The invention of the phonograph and the onset of the radio in the early 1900s brought this old-time music out of the rural Southern mountains to people all over the United States.
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The Monroe Brothers Tanglewood Mandolins - coming soon...

This music incorporated songs and rhythms from string band, gospel (black and white), work songs and "shouts" of black labourers, country and blues music repertoires. Most believe that the classic bluegrass sound jelled in 1946, shortly after Earl Scruggs, a 21 year old banjo player from North Carolina, joined the band.

Scruggs played an innovative three-finger picking style on the banjo that energized enthusiastic audiences.
Click here to find out more about the FM-63s F style Mandolin...

From 1948-1969, Flatt & Scruggs were a major force in introducing bluegrass music to America through national television, at major universities and coliseums, and at schoolhouse appearances in numerous towns.


Flatt & Scruggs

The increased availability of traditional music recordings, nationwide indoor and outdoor bluegrass festivals and movie, television and commercial soundtracks featuring bluegrass music have aided in bringing this music out of modern day obscurity.

With our harmonicas you are invited to try before you buy, using our bellows system you can actually hear the harp in use before you buy it, safe in the knowledge that you aren't damaging it in any way. Call in to the store to find out more...

Bluegrass music is now performed and enjoyed around the world--the IBMA alone claims members in all 50 states and 30 countries. In addition to the to the classic style born in 1946 that is still performed widely, bluegrass bands today reflect influences from a variety of sources including traditional and fusion jazz, contemporary country music, Celtic music, rock & roll ("newgrass" or progressive bluegrass), old-time music and Southern gospel music--in addition to lyrics translated to various languages.


Hickies selection of bluegrass instruments includes most popular models for playing traditional and modern styles. We also stock an extensive range of learning material. In addition, Hickies can order other instruments that are not normally included in stock. Please contact us for further information or to talk to our on site bluegrass instrument specialist. Alternatively you can email Dave directly by clicking here.

Click here to find out more about the FMO-66 Octave Mandolin


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Dave Plummer, our Bluegrass specialist and guitar tech.

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The guitar picture here is Dave's personal baby, it's a stunning example of a 1962 Fender Stratocaster in 'Sherwood green', lovingly cared for, for the last sixteen years by Dave, it's aging nicely (unlike Dave!) and has the whole range of sounds that we have come to expect from the notoriously versatile Stratocaster. Dave uses light gauge (.09 .042) Fender strings for a mellow, original sound and Ernie Ball strings for a more 'brash' sound. There isn't a single scratch anywhere on this guitar and as Dave's personal favourite, this guitar is played every day.

Introducing: Hickory Smoke...
The picture above is the band "Hickory Smoke", from left to right may I introduce: Terry on Mandolin and Guitar, Dave, whom you may recognise from this page (and from Hickies) on Banjo, Guitar & Mandolin, Chris on Vocal & Guitar and finally, Colm on the Fiddle.

The only other member of the line up not introduced so far is young Terry here on Bass, tucked away at the end, playing a rather attractive vintage Rickenbacker, with a very nice action to it !

Playing traditional Irish, Bluegrass, Folk and Country music, this band have been entertaining audiences for the last 2 years all across the south of England. All of the instruments played by the band are available to buy at Hickies. Several of the members play in other bands playing completely different styles of music but they all came together founded on a love of good old fashioned traditional dancing music. Oh, and by the way - they're rather good !
   
 
 

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Scrumpy And Western is a free magazine available at Hickies which outlines the live music events happening in the west country.

 


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