What is Bluegrass?

We might shy away because we tend to think of driving rhythms, tight harmonies, sharing solos, fast tempos... but these are built on the components of playing in this genre:

What are the Components of Bluegrass music?

Chop

Bass

Melody

Harmonies

Licks

Here are some examples:

The Chop: Mountain Dulcimer

Erin Mae demonstrates the Bluegrass Chop on mountain dulcimer using the tune Orphan Girl. This lesson is from her Chromatic Mountain Dulcimer Course at DulcimerCrossing.

The Chop: Hammered Dulcimer

Steve Eulberg discusses and demonstrates How Dampers Work as part of his Course How to Use Dampers at DulcimerCrossing.

Playing Bass Mountain Dulcimer

Steve focused this Wednesday Livestream on playing Bass.

Bluegrass Licks

Steve demonstrates how to play a typical Bluegrass lick on mountain dulcimer using Articulations. This lesson comes from the Bluegrass on Mountain Dulcimer Course which is included with a DulcimerCrossing Membership AND with the purchase of your ticket for the Bluegrass Dulcimer Day 2026.

Susan Trump plays melody on the middle string for her Bluegrassy Fingerpicking

This was the focus of her hour-long workshop for DulcimerCrossing members.