Appalachian music is the music of the region of
Appalachia in the Eastern United States. It is derived from various European and African influences, including English
ballads, Irish and Scottish traditional music (especially
fiddle music), hymns, and African-American
blues. First recorded in the 1920s, Appalachian musicians were a key influence on the early development of
Old-time music,
country music, and
bluegrass, and were an important part of the
American folk music revival of the 1960s. Instruments typically used to perform Appalachian music include the
banjo,
American fiddle,
fretted dulcimer, and
guitar.