Instrumental music has always had a prominent place in the bluegrass genre. But it’s not all fast-paced, driving fiddle and banjo melodies—instrumental bluegrass is often its best when it’s at its most plaintive. This list of some of today’s and yesterday’s best bluegrass pickers showcases that fact: Bela Fleck, Alan Munde, Brittany Haas, and more show off what they can do when they turn the “drive” knob down a bit for some laid-back instrumental pickin’. Enjoy this playlist of easy-going bluegrass instrumentals!

David Chernack
David Chernack is a fiddler, mandolinist, and guitarist from Hyde Park, NY. Trained as a classical violist, David found out about bluegrass music through the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers program and despite his best efforts has been unable to kick the habit. He picked up mandolin and guitar in college in Boston, where he studied environmental science and music. After moving to Denver and performing and touring with several Coloradan bands, he's back in the Hudson Valley. Aside from bluegrass, David also enjoys birdwatching and wrenching on cars.

Latest posts from David Chernack
- The Kids Are Alright: Young Bluegrass - September 28, 2023
- This is: David Grisman - September 14, 2023
- Bluegrass Songs About Hammers – A Playlist - August 31, 2023