tradition-innovation · rosenberg1967-sound-to-style

Through the conservatism of audiences and the imitativeness of the neophyte bands, Bluegrass has come to stand for tradition-the authentic, old-time, country way. ... A successful Bluegrass performance of a standard song or folksong not only maintains a traditional text and tune of the song; it contains a stylistic innovation attractive to the audience. ... To the fast-paced instrumental they added a slow introduction sung in three part harmony, an innovation which contrasted with and emphasized the speed and brilliance of the instrumental section. ... Both musicians and audience are caught between the conservatism which gives the style unity and the innovation which makes it exciting. This tension is, in some ways, a modern version of the folk performer's eternal struggle to wed tradition and creativity. Because the style has been defined by its creators and performers rather than its students, it is a good example of the ways of tradition in mass culture.