Bluegrass
Everything published on Viyolens under Bluegrass — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
A Beginner's Guide to Bluegrass
A banjo, mandolin and fiddle chasing each other round a melody, each taking its turn in the spotlight. That's bluegrass, and it's easy to fall for.
A Guide to Electric Mandolin
Solid body, floating pickup, or electrified acoustic — here's what distinguishes different electric mandolin formats and where each suits different playing contexts.
Country Music Subgenres, Explained
From the honky-tonk bars of Texas to the folk festivals of Appalachia — the different strands within the genre explained, with key artists for each.
Folk Music Subgenres, Explained
A solo singer with a guitar and a full electric band playing centuries-old ballads are both folk music. Here's how the genre's branches actually differ.
The Complete Guide to Resonator Guitar Guitars
The resonator guitar combines a unique metal cone resonator with expert lutherie to produce a bright, cutting tone perfectly suited to slide, bluegrass and contemporary acoustic music.
Mandolin: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The mandolin market runs from laminate-topped learner instruments to hand-carved professional pieces. Knowing where you are in that range is how you avoid buying the wrong one.
The Ultimate Guide to Banjo
The banjo's true history, the difference between five-string and tenor, open-back and resonator, and how to choose your first instrument by the music you want to play.
Bluegrass Subgenres, Explained
There's more than one way to play bluegrass, and the differences matter. Here's an honest map of the main strands and what separates one from the next.
The Best Electric Mandolins for the Money
The Rogue suits beginners, the Eastman MD604 is the mid-range benchmark, and the Peerless Tuxedo is the professional standard for jazz players.
Essential Bluegrass Albums Explained
Bluegrass began as a singles-and-radio tradition, not an albums one. Here's a considered, honest path through the records that explain how it grew.
Everything You Need to Know About Electric Fiddle
The same instrument, given the means to hold its own on a loud stage. Here's a gentle introduction to what an electric fiddle is and where it came from.
Everything You Need to Know About Thumb Picks
Thumb picks give fingerstyle guitarists and banjo players a defined bass attack while keeping the fingers free — but getting the right fit and technique matters enormously. Here's the full story.
The History of Bluegrass
A tradition built in the hills, from church harmony and string bands to Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys and beyond. Here's where bluegrass actually came from.
Americana Subgenres, Explained
Americana isn't one sound - it's several older traditions sharing a roof. Here's every subgenre named plainly, with no jargon left unexplained.
The Best Bluegrass Songs Right Now
No single chart settles what's essential in bluegrass. Here's an honest split between the songs that built the vocabulary and today's airplay leaders.
Bluegrass for Newcomers: Where to Start
It almost never starts with a history lesson. It starts with a banjo break that makes you sit up. Here's a gentle way into bluegrass, built for beginners.
The Best Bluegrass Artists to Know
Every name here earned its place through decades of playing, not a single hit. Take your time getting to know the essential bluegrass artists properly.
The Best Mandolins for the Money
From learner instruments to professional-grade choices, the mandolin market has strong options at every level. These picks deliver the most for their price.
Mandolin Explained: Features, Types and Tips
Eight strings, a violin's tuning and a tone that carries across any session room — the mandolin is a remarkable acoustic instrument with a rich history and a wide musical life.
Electric Mandolin: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Solid body for loud stages, semi-hollow for jazz and acoustic-leaning styles — here's how to work through every decision before buying.
Five String Banjo: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Selecting a five string banjo requires understanding construction, materials, playing styles, and your budget. This buying guide cuts through confusion to help you choose the right banjo from entry-le...
Bluegrass is filed under
All topics
Americana
Americana blends folk, country, blues and roots rock into storytelling-led music with an acoustic, lived-in feel.
Banjo
The banjo offers bright, rhythmic attack and wide stylistic range across folk, bluegrass and traditional acoustic music.
3 topics
Bluegrass
Bluegrass is fast, acoustic string music with harmonies, virtuosic picking and strong roots appeal for live and session...
Country Music
Country music combines storytelling lyrics, melodic hooks and acoustic-led band arrangements.
1 topic
Electric Mandolin
Electric mandolins add amplified clarity and stage versatility to the classic mandolin sound.
1 topic
Folk Music
Find folk music gear for acoustic tone, lyrical performance and natural-sounding recording.
1 topic
Mandolin
Mandolin instruments deliver a bright, ringing tone with strong folk and acoustic appeal across many styles.
2 topics
Thumb Picks
A fingerstyle accessory that gives thumb-picked notes more control and clarity.
