The Different Folk Music Genres You Need to Know

Folk music has many different sub-genres, each with their own unique sound and history. In this blog post, we explore some of the most popular and well-known folk music genres from around the world.

Introduction to Folk Music

There are many different types of folk music, each with their own unique history, sound, and regional origins. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular folk music genres from around the world. Whether you’re a fan of traditional folk ballads or modern folk-rock, there’s something for everyone in this list.

What is Folk Music?

Folk music is a genre of music that often tells stories about the every day lives of regular people. It is often passed down orally from generation to generation, and has been around for centuries. Folk music is often used to preserve history and heritage, and to keep traditions alive.

There are many different types of folk music, each with its own unique sound and story to tell. Here are just a few of the different genres you may come across:

-Celtic Folk Music: This type of folk music comes from the Celtic countries of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall. It is often very upbeat and cheerful, and features traditional instruments like the fiddle, penny whistle, bagpipes, and harp.
-Appalachian Folk Music: This folk music originates from the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States. It is usually slower paced than Celtic folk music, and often has a bluegrass or country feel to it. Instruments you might hear in Appalachian folk music include the banjo, guitar, mandolin, and dulcimer.
-English Folk Music: As you might guess from the name, this type of folk music comes from England. It often tells stories about English history and culture, and includes traditional instruments like the accordion, concertina, fiddle, bagpipes, flute, and drums.
-American Folk Music: This broad genre encompasses all types of folk music originating in the United States. American folk music includes everything from traditional songs passed down orally within families or communities, to more modern styles that have been influenced by other genres such as blues or rock n’ roll.

The Origins of Folk Music

Folk music has been around since the beginning of human civilization. It was originally a way for people to share their stories and experiences with others, and it has evolved over time into the many different genres we know today.

Some of the earliest folk music was orally transmitted from one generation to the next. This is still true of many folk traditions around the world, where songs are passed down through the oral tradition. This type of folk music is often anonymous, and its origins are often difficult to trace.

Folk music usually has a strong connection to the traditions and culture of a particular region or country. It often reflects the history and experiences of the people who create it. For this reason, folk music is often seen as a valuable part of a region or country’s heritage.

There are many different types of folk music, each with its own unique style and history. Some of the most popular genres include Celtic folk music, Appalachian folk music, and British Isles folk music.

Celtic Folk Music
Celtic folk music is a genre that includes traditional songs from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. Celtic folk music is often characterized by its use of traditional instruments like the fiddle, accordion, and Bodhrán drum. This type of folk music also often includes elements of traditional Irish dance, such as jigs and reels. Celtic folk music has been influenced by both European classical music and American popular music genres like rock and roll.

Appalachian Folk Music
Appalachian Folk Music is a genre that originated in the Appalachian Mountains in the United States. This type of folk music is typically characterized by its use of banjo, fiddle, and dulcimer instruments. Appalachian Folk Music often tells stories about the hardscrabble lives of mountain residents during the 18th and 19th centuries. The genre has been influencd by British Isles Folk Music as well as American popular music genres like blues and countrymusic

British Isles Folk Music
British Isles Folk Music is a genre that includes traditional songs from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. This type of folk music is typically characterized by its use of acoustic instruments like guitar, mandolin, and penny whistle. British Isles Folk Music often tells stories about rural life in the British Isles during the 18th century 19th century

The Various Folk Music Genres

There are many different folk music genres, each with their own unique history, sound, and style. Some of the most popular folk music genres include Celtic, Appalachian, and Blues. Celtic folk music is a type of folk music that originated in the Celtic countries of Europe. Appalachian folk music is a type of folk music that originated in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States. Blues is a type of folk music that originated in the American South.

Celtic Folk Music

Celtic folk music is a genre that is native to the Celtic people, who are spread out across Europe. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, such as the fiddle, bagpipes, and accordion, as well as by its use of traditional songs, often sung in Gaelic. Celtic folk music has been influenced by many other genres over the years, including American folk music and rock music.

Appalachian Folk Music

Appalachian folk music is a type of American folk music that originated in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States. It is widely considered to be one of the oldest and most distinctive types of American folk music.

Appalachian folk music is characterized by its use of the fiddle, banjo, and Appalachian dulcimer (a type of stringed instrument). These instruments are often played together in a band or group setting, and often accompanied by singing.

One of the most well-known subgenres of Appalachian folk music is bluegrass. Bluegrass is a type of Appalachian folk music that is characterized by its use of the guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. It is also typically faster-paced than other types of Appalachian folk music.

Other popular subgenres of Appalachian folk music include old-time music (which is similar to bluegrass but typically slower-paced), and mountain music (which is typically slower-paced and features more acoustic instruments).

British Folk Music

British folk music has been around for centuries, with its roots in the music of the working class. Folk music was originally passed down through the oral tradition, and later became popularised by folk musicians such as Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. British folk music includes a wide range of styles, from traditional ballads to modern interpretations of traditional songs.Common themes in British folk music include love, loss, war, and social protest.

American Folk Music

American Folk Music is a genre of American music that originated in the 19th century. Folk music is a musical tradition of the peoples of Europe and North America, which has its roots in the songs and ballads of the British Isles. It is often characterized by its use of acoustic instruments and its reliance on traditional song structures, such as verse-chorus form.

The term “folk music” can be used to refer to both traditional music and contemporary music that has been influenced by traditional music. Traditional folk music includes genres such as old-time music, bluegrass, and Irish trad. Contemporary folk music includes genres such as folk rock, folksong, and singer-songwriter.

The term “folk” has been used to describe a wide variety of music from around the world. In some cases, such as in Eastern Europe, the term “folk” refers to traditional music that is still being performed today. In other cases, such as in the United States, the term “folk” is used to describe both traditional and contemporary folk music.

The Different Styles of Folk Music

Folk music is a genre of music that is often passed down through generations. Folk music is usually based on traditional music and is often a more simplistic style of music. Folk music can be found all over the world, and each region has its own unique style of folk music.

Traditional Folk Music

Traditional folk music is the term used for music that has been passed down through the generations by word of mouth. The songs and tunes are often simple and repetitive, but they can also be very complex. The words are usually about real life and can be funny, sad or romantic. Traditional folk music is usually performed by acoustic instruments such as guitars, fiddles, banjos and mandolins.

Some of the most famous traditional folk songs are “The House of the Rising Sun”, “Scarborough Fair” and “Danny Boy”. These songs have been passed down through the years and have been recorded by many different artists.

Traditional folk music is still being made today. New songs are being written and old songs are being reinvented. Folk music has also been influence by other genres such as rock and pop.

Contemporary Folk Music

Contemporary folk music refers to a wide variety of genres that arose in the mid-20th century and continue to develop in the present day. It is often used to describe music that is based on traditional Folk music, but which has been altered in some way by modern pop, rock, or other influences.

Some of the most popular contemporary folk artists include Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, and Joni Mitchell. Contemporary folk music often makes use of electric instruments and amplifiers, as well as drums and other percussion instruments.

While contemporary folk music is often based on traditional folk music, it can also be influenced by other genres, such as pop, rock, or even classical music. In some cases, contemporary folk artists may even create entirely new songs; in others, they may simply modify existing tunes or write new lyrics for existing songs.

Indie Folk Music

Indie folk music is a genre that emerged in the 1990s, and is generally characterized by its use of acoustic instruments, its DIY aesthetic, and its focus on songwriting and storytelling. Indie folk artists often have an idiosyncratic or avant-garde approach to their music, and are often known for their unconventional lyrical subjects. Some of the most well-known indie folk artists include Of Monsters and Men, Fleet Foxes, Sufjan Stevens, and Bon Iver.

Conclusion

Folk music is a genre of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation orally. It is music that is typically rooted in the traditions of a culture or region. Folk music has often been seen as the music of the people, as it is not created or performed by professional musicians.

There are many different genres of folk music, each with their own unique history and sound. Some of the most popular genres include Celtic, Americana, bluegrass, and old-time. Folk music has often been used to tell stories and express emotions, and it continues to be an important part of many cultures around the world.