| It can be hard to listen to, some people call it | | | | the history of Country Music, if you can begin to |
| annoying, others common, but it is the backbone of | | | | understand its roots, and the adversity faced by |
| America, and an essential part of the music industry. | | | | many who wrote it, you will better understand the |
| Learning to appreciate it for what it is a process; | | | | need for the genre, and the way the words are |
| Country music has a long and varied history and | | | | expressed. Listening to it with the history of the |
| evolved in the 1920's and has developed a distinctive | | | | music in your mind, you will more likely appreciate |
| sound that can be easily recognized. | | | | what you are listening to. |
| This is all about the story, when you are listened to | | | | Really try to get into the feel of the music and work |
| the music, remember to listen to the words - the | | | | on liking the beat and lyrics. If you feel you aren't |
| words are far more important than the music, the | | | | enjoying the artist, then try a different one, with the |
| words tell a story. In many other genres of music, it | | | | many different types available, from traditional to |
| can be hard to determine the meaning behind the | | | | modern. Listen to the old greats, like Hank Williams |
| songs, with Country it is as easy as listening to the | | | | and The Carter Family, they are considered the |
| words. The message of Country Music songs can | | | | pioneers, although it has changed a lot since the |
| often be a little depressing - death, loss, drugs, | | | | 1920's the original C. Music will help you to appreciate |
| prison, and even the devil. It isn't one to offer false | | | | the progression of the music through the decades. |
| hopes and optimism, but it will share your misery and | | | | Listen and try to identify the sounds of the |
| offer you a shoulder to cry on. Remember, the | | | | instruments after you have heard the lyrics, it isn't |
| words of Country are full of pain, but listen to them, | | | | just the guitar, any stringed instrument can be used |
| and you will appreciate the creativity needed to write | | | | in it, try and hear the music in the background, if you |
| the songs. | | | | can identify the chords and the instruments, then |
| Ignore the American twang if you hate the American | | | | you will find it easier to listen to. Don't go into |
| twang! If that is the only thing putting you off from | | | | listening to Country Music with the preconceived idea |
| listening to Country, then explore sub genres, such as | | | | that you will hate it, go with an open mind, and be |
| Bluegrass and Country Pop or Country Rock, you | | | | prepared to learn a whole new genre, because This is |
| might find a style you love, without the familiar | | | | a diverse and interesting type of music. |
| twang that puts you off listening this music. Explore | | | | |