As popular as the bands were to most Civil War soldiers, the music enjoyed most by soldiers on both sides was the music made by their fellow soldiers.
For both armies, the best loved songs were often the old favorites which had been popular before the war. However, for many soldiers who had never traveled more than twenty miles from home, the Civil War changed their musical tastes forever. By mixing with soldiers from other regions of the country they learned new songs and became acquainted with musical styles they had never heard before.
A favorite place to sing was around the campfire. Many camps had soldiers who had brought along their musical instruments: a banjo, fiddle, guitar, harmonica or jaw harp.