Final answer:
Honky tonk music had to be loud with a steady beat to be heard over noise and to allow for dancing. Louder instruments like banjos and fiddles were popular, while quieter ones like dulcimers were less used.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prerequisites for music in honky tonks required that the music had to be loud and possess a steady, danceable beat. Instruments like banjos, fiddles, and guitars became popular due to their louder sounds, while instruments like the dulcimer and mandolin were less used in these settings because their sounds could not easily fill a room. Dance-oriented bluegrass groups, for instance, preferred instruments that could be heard over the chatter and noise of the crowd. This need for audibility influenced the development of music genres and the adaptation of instruments to fit entertainment venues, much like how early hip hop in New York adapted to its urban environment.
In active settings such as dance halls or honky tonks, the ability to carry music over the noise of conversation and maintain a rhythm that encourages dancing was essential. This is exemplified by the longevity of certain instruments over others in these venues and how these adaptive strategies, such as playing the mandolin rhythmically and percussively to increase volume, have historically enhanced community experiences in music and dance.