Mountain Folk Music: The Heart and Soul of Appalachia

Mountain folk music has been the heart and soul of Appalachia for centuries. Join us as we explore the history and traditions of this unique genre of music.

Introduction to Mountain Folk Music

Mountain folk music is the heart and soul of Appalachia. It is a synthesis of many different musical traditions brought to the mountains by settlers from all over Europe. The music is characterized by its strong vocal harmonies, often with a modal melody, and its use of simple acoustic instruments.

Defining mountain folk music

Mountain folk music is the traditional music of the Appalachian Mountains. It is a genre of American folk music that is rooted in the English, Scottish, and Irish traditions of the British Isles, as well as the music of African Americans who were brought to the region as slaves.

The mountain folk music tradition was perpetuated by generations of mountain people who passed their songs down through oral tradition. This music was primarily sung for entertainment and social gatherings, such as dances and church services.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in mountain folk music, as people from all over the world have come to appreciate its simple beauty and honest expression.

The history of mountain folk music

Mountain folk music is the traditions of music and dance of the mountain people of the Appalachian Mountains. These traditions were brought over from Europe by settlers in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, and have developed into a unique American form of music.

The music is characterized by its use of simple instruments, such as the fiddle, banjo, guitar, and mandolin. The tunes are often catchy and easy to sing along to, and The lyrics often tell stories of mountain life, love, and loss.

The mountain folk music tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, and is still alive today. Many modern musicians have been influenced by these old-time sounds, and you can hear mountain folk music played all over the world.

The Instruments of Mountain Folk Music

The Appalachian Mountains are home to some of the richest and most diverse folk music in the United States. This music is the product of a unique culture that has been shaped by the geography and history of the region. The music of the Appalachians is characterized by a strong reliance on traditional instruments.

The fiddle

The fiddle is the most commonly played instrument in mountain folk music, and has been since the 1800s. It is believed to have originated in the British Isles, and was brought over to America by British immigrants. The fiddle is a stringed instrument that is played with a bow. It has a wooden body and a neck with tuning pegs, and usually has 4 strings. The fiddle is held under the chin and moved back and forth to create sound.

Mountain folk fiddlers typically use a style called “frailing”, which involves striking the strings with the nails of the right hand instead of using a fingerboard. This style gives the music a very distinctive sound. The fiddle is often the lead instrument in mountain folk bands, playing melody lines and providing accompaniment for other instruments and singers.

The banjo

The banjo is a string instrument with a long neck and a round body. It originated in Africa and was brought to the United States by slaves. The banjo is commonly used in Mountain folk music, and it is one of the most recognizable instruments of Appalachian music.

The banjo has five strings, which are usually tuned to an open G chord: D2-G2-B2-D3-G3. The fifth string, which is positioned below the other strings, is known as the drone string. The drone string provides a constant background melody against which the other strings are played.

mountain folk music, the banjo is often played with a plectrum, or pick. Picks are made from various materials, including plastic, metal, and even bone. The size and shape of the pick can vary, depending on the player’s preference.

The guitar

The guitar is one of the most popular instruments in mountain folk music, and has been a staple of the genre for centuries.Traditional mountain folk guitarists often use a flatpicking style, which involves using a pick to strum the strings rather than using the fingers.This style is particularly well-suited to the fast-paced, energetic nature of mountain folk music.

There are a wide variety of guitars available on the market, from cheap mass-produced models to high-end custom instruments. Regardless of your budget, it is important to choose a guitar that is comfortable for you to play and that has a good sound quality. If you are a beginner, it is also worth considering buying an acoustic guitar rather than an electric one. Acoustic guitars are typically easier to play and don’t require any additional equipment, such as an amplifier.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend among mountain folk musicians towards using alternative tunings for their guitars. This can give the instrument a whole new range of sounds and possibilities, and can open up new possibilities for creativity. If you are interested in exploring alternative tunings, it is worth doing some research to find out which ones are most suited to your style of playing.

The Singers of Mountain Folk Music

Mountain folk music has been handed down from generation to generation of Appalachian people. This music is the heart and soul of the Appalachian people. The music expresses the struggles and joys of the people who live in the mountains. The music is a way for the people to connect with their heritage.

The Carter Family

The Carter Family was a family of musicians who played and recorded mountain folk music in the early twentieth century. The family was made up of A.P. Carter, his wife Sara Carter, and his sister-in-law Maybelle Carter. The Carter Family was one of the most influential groups in the development of mountain folk music, and their recordings helped to popularize the genre.

The Stanley Brothers

Appalachian music is the traditional music of the region of Appalachia in the Eastern United States. It is derived from various European, African, and Native American influences, and has been influenced by many factors such as English ballads, Scottish and Irish fiddle tunes, and hymns brought over by German and Scots-Irish settlers. The music is often passed down from generation to generation by oral tradition.

One of the most influential groups in mountain folk music were The Stanley Brothers. The group was composed of brothers Carter Stanley (1925-1966) and Ralph Stanley (1927-2016), who were born and raised in southwest Virginia. They began playing music together in 1946, and went on to have a successful recording career that spanned three decades. They were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 1992.

The Stanley Brothers’ music was deeply rooted in the mountain folk tradition, and they helped to popularize Appalachian music with wider audiences. Their signature sound was a close harmony style of singing, accompanied by Carter’s virtuosic guitar playing and Ralph’s powerful clawhammer banjo picking. Some of their most famous songs include “Man of Constant Sorrow”, “I’m a Man of Constant Sorrow”, “O Death”, “Sixteen Tons”, and “Rank Stranger”.

The Stanley Brothers’ influence can still be heard in the music of contemporary artists who have been inspired by their sound, such as Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, Union Station, Alison Krauss & Union Station, The Kentucky Headhunters, Old Crow Medicine Show, and The Lumineers.

Hazel Dickens

Mountain music is the heart and soul of Appalachia. For centuries, people in the mountains have been making music with whatever instruments they had on hand. The music has been passed down from generation to generation, and it continues to evolve today.

One of the most important figures in mountain music is Hazel Dickens. She was born in 1916 in Mercer County, West Virginia, and she grew up singing traditional songs with her family. Dickens began performing professionally in the 1950s, and she quickly became a leading voice in the mountain music scene. Her powerful voice and her ability to connect with her audience made her a favorite among fans of traditional music.

Dickens was also a talented songwriter, and she wrote many songs about the struggles of working people in Appalachia. Her songs gave voice to the experiences of coal miners, factory workers, and others who struggled to make a living in the mountains. Dickens continued to perform and record until her death in 2011.

Today, Hazel Dickens is remembered as one of the greatest mountain musicians of all time. Her songs are still sung by fans of traditional music all over the world.

The Legacy of Mountain Folk Music

For centuries, mountain folk music has been the heart and soul of Appalachia. This musical genre is a mix of Celtic, English, and African influences, and is known for its beautiful melodies and soulful lyrics. Mountain folk music is more than just a type of music – it’s a way of life. It’s a way of connecting with the natural world, and of expressing the joys and sorrows of the human experience.

The influence of mountain folk music on other genres

The sounds of mountain folk music can be heard in many different genres of music today. This is because the style of mountain folk music is very simple and rootsy, which makes it easy for other musicians to adapt it to their own sound. Additionally, the themes of mountain folk music are often about everyday life, which makes them relatable to people from all walks of life.

Some of the most popular genres that have been influenced by mountain folk music include bluegrass, country, and rockabilly. Bluegrass is a type of country music that was developed in the Appalachian Mountains in the 1940s. It is characterized by its fast tempo and its use of banjo, fiddle, and mandolin. Country music is also heavily influenced by mountain folk music, as many country artists grew up listening to this type of music. Rockabilly is a type of rock ‘n’ roll that was developed in the 1950s and is characterized by its twangy sound. It also has roots in mountain folk music

The resurgence of mountain folk music in the 21st century

In the early 21st century, there was a resurgence of interest in mountain folk music, led by a new generation of performers. This music is the heart and soul of Appalachia, and its history is fascinating.

Mountain folk music has its roots in the British and Scottish ballads that were brought to the Appalachian mountains by immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries. These songs were passed down from generation to generation, and they often told stories of love, loss, and death.

During the 20th century, many mountain folk musicians became famous for their recordings of these traditional songs. Some of the most popular performers included Ken Maynard, Hobart Smith, Doc Watson, and The Stanley Brothers.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in mountain folk music. This is due in part to the efforts of groups like The Carolina Chocolate Drops, who are keeping the tradition alive by performing and recording traditional songs.

The resurgence of mountain folk music is also due to the growing popularity of bluegrass and old-time music. These genres are similar to mountain folk music, and they often feature instruments like the banjo and fiddle.