ensemble-roles · smith1965-introduction-bluegrass

Played in bluegrass style, the instruments of the ensemble combine with each other in three distinct roles: a lead part, produced by an instrument or voice as the central melodic interest; one or several instruments which "back" the lead, contrasting with it melodically and rhythmically but never threatening its domination; and an underlying, unvarying, and sharply accented rhythmic and harmonic base. All of the instruments function at times in all three of these roles, but each tends to emphasize one or two. The fiddle, banjo, and dobro are primarily lead instruments