# Country — Genre

> American rural music tradition. Storytelling, twangy guitars, fiddle.

## Defining elements

- Acoustic / electric guitar (twang)
- Fiddle, pedal steel, banjo
- Country vocal style (twang, sometimes)
- 4/4 time (mostly)
- Storytelling lyrics
- Rural / working-class themes traditional

## Sub-types

- **Classic country** — 50s-70s (Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton)
- **Honky tonk** — bar country (George Strait, Alan Jackson)
- **Outlaw country** — 70s (Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings)
- **Bluegrass** — string-based, fast (Bill Monroe, Alison Krauss)
- **Country pop** — modern crossover (Taylor Swift early, Shania Twain)
- **Bro country** — modern party (Florida Georgia Line)
- **Modern country** — current radio (Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves)
- **Outlaw / Americana** — alt-country (Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers)

## Typical instrumentation

Acoustic guitar + electric guitar (twang) + bass + drums + fiddle + pedal steel + banjo (sometimes) + vocal

## Production characteristics

- Vocal forward
- Twangy guitar tones
- Pedal steel essential to classic
- Live band feel (classic) or polished (modern)

## Lyrics direction

- Storytelling
- Heartbreak
- Love (rural / working class)
- Trucks, beer, small towns (modern stereotype)
- Family, faith
- Specific places (small American towns)

## For Suno

```
[Style: classic country, 110 BPM, G major, acoustic guitar + twangy 
electric guitar + bass + drums + fiddle + pedal steel + male baritone 
vocal with slight twang storytelling style, warm production, live feel]
```

## Examples

- Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton
- Modern: Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson

## Avoid

- Heavy distortion
- Auto-tune
- EDM elements
- Cold production
- Generic non-twangy vocals
