A Brief Canadian Folk Music History
Contents
A folk music history blog discussing the different folk music genres in Canada, their origins and how they’ve changed over time.
Pre-20th century
Traditional Canadian folk music is significantly different from that of the rest of North America. The music of Canada’s aboriginal people is a mixture of European, Native American, and Scottish/Irish influences. In the 18th century, Irish and Scottish immigrants brought their own folk music traditions to Canada.
Traditional songs and ballads
Traditional songs and ballads were brought to Canada by settlers who arrived from England, Scotland, and Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of these songs were passed down from generation to generation, and eventually, they made their way into the Canadian folk music canon.
One of the most iconic Canadian folk songs is “TheEnter different heading here Boxing Night Massacre” which tells the story of a mass murder that took place inToronto in 1855. The song was made popular by Stompin’ Tom Connors, who recorded it in 1967.
Other popular traditional songs include “The Banks of Newfoundland” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” These songs are often sung at maritime festivals and other events that celebrate Canada’s nautical heritage.
Celtic music
In the 1600s, the Celtic music of Scotland and Ireland was brought to Canada by English and Scottish immigrants. This music was originally played on traditional instruments such as the fiddle, bagpipe, and accordion.
Celtic music has undergone a revival in recent years, with many contemporary artists incorporating traditional Celtic sounds into their work. Some popular Canadian Celtic musicians include Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac, Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Natalie McMaster, and Newfoundland band The Irish Descendants.
20th century
The early part of the 20th century saw a decline in interest in folksongs and traditional music. This was in part due to the rise of popular music, and in part due to the belief by some that folksongs and traditional music were unsophisticated and backward-looking. However, there were a few individuals and groups who continued to collect and perform traditional music.
The rise of popular music
The rise of popular music in the early 20th century was shaped by technological advances in recording and distribution, as well as changing social attitudes. One of the most important factors in the development of popular music was the arrival of radio in the 1920s. Radio broadcasting gave performers a new way to reach a large audience, and it had a profound effect on the development of popular music.
The invention of the phonograph in 1877 and the introduction of commercial radio in 1920 had a profound impact on the development of popular music. The phonograph allowed music to be recorded and played back, and it quickly became an important tool for making and distributing recordings. The popularity of radio in the 1920s gave performers a new way to reach a large audience, and it had a major impact on the development of popular music.
In the early 20th century, sheet music was one of the main ways that people acquired new songs. With the advent of radio and commercial recordings, people were exposed to new styles of music from all over the world, and this had a major impact on the development of popular music.
The rise of popular music in the early 20th century was shaped by technological advances in recording and distribution, as well as changing social attitudes. One of the most important factors in the development of popular music was the arrival of radio in the 1920s. Radio broadcasting gave performers a new way to reach a large audience, and it had a profound effect on the development of popular music.
The influence of immigration
TheAn influx of Eastern European immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s brought with it a tide of new musical traditions. Klezmer, a type of Jewish instrumental music, was one of the most popular genres, and it had a profound influence on early jazz. Many klezmer tunes were originally played on the violin, and when they were adapted for use with jazz bands, they often retained their original violin parts. This helped to create the unique sound of early jazz.
The folk revival
During the late 1950s and early 1960s, a “folk revival” occurred in Canada and the United States. This renewed interest in folk music was inspired by The Weavers, Hedy West, Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, Odetta and Joan Baez. The revival focused on traditional folk songs, primarily those of British origin. singing in English and French. In Canada, this period also saw the revival of interest in Québécois music and the rise of such artists as Cléoma Breau, Géraldine LeBlanc, Willie Lamothe and Prosper Blouin.
21st century
Tom Paxton once said, “Folk music is the true voice of the people.” It is a musical genre that has been around for centuries and has been used as a way to tell stories, express emotion and pass down traditions. Folk music is often passed down orally from generation to generation, and as a result, it has evolved over time. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in interest in folk music, and it has become increasingly popular.
The continued popularity of folk music
Folk music has continued to be popular in the 21st century. While some older folk musicians have retired or passed away, younger musicians have kept the tradition alive. In Canada, there are many different folk festivals held each year, where people can enjoy listening to live music and dance.
Some well-known Canadian folk musicians include Stan Rogers, Wade Hemsworth, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Natalie MacMaster, and Gordon Lightfoot. These artists have all helped to keep folk music alive and popular in Canada.
The rise of digital music
The rise of digital music has had a profound impact on the Canadian folk music scene. With the advent of MP3s and online streaming services, folks can now access a virtually limitless supply of music from all over the world with the click of a button. This has made it easier than ever for up-and-coming artists to get their music out there, and has resulted in a more diverse and vibrant folk scene than ever before.
While some purists may mourn the loss of the physical format, there’s no denying that the digital age has had a positive impact on Canadian folk music.
