Piedmont Folk-Blues

tagStarted 1910sPeak 1928–1940Last big hit still activeFrom Piedmont, United States

Located in 1 route

Piedmont folk-blues is nimble and syncopated, built on rag-influenced fingerpicking, alternating-thumb patterns, brisk treble melody, and vocals that often sound lighter on their feet than Delta blues.

History

Centered along the eastern seaboard and the Piedmont region, the style absorbed ragtime, dance music, and local song traditions into a highly developed guitar language.

Defining artists

Essential listening

← Explore Folk / Americana / Roots

Sources

  • Britannica
  • Library of Congress
  • Smithsonian Folkways
  • regional blues sources. citeturn1search5turn9search2turn3search2