English Folk Music on the Guitar

A blog about English Folk Music and how to play it on the guitar.

Introduction

Folk music has been around for centuries and has been a major influence on many other genres of music, including country, blues, and rock. Folk music is usually passed down from generation to generation by ear, rather than being written down. This means that each performer may have a slightly different version of a song.

The guitar is a common instrument in folk music, as it is portable and relatively easy to learn how to play. In this article, we will look at how to play some traditional English folk songs on the guitar.

Origins of English Folk Music

English Folk music has been around for centuries, and it has been a huge influence on modern music. Many famous musicians have cited English Folk music as an influence, and it is often used in movies and television shows. English Folk music is typically very simple and easy to play on the guitar. In this article, we will discuss the origins of English Folk music and how it has influenced modern music.

The British Isles

The British Isles have a rich musical heritage, and English folk music is at the heart of that heritage. The early history of English folk music is shrouded in mystery, but there are a few things we know for sure. We know that the people of the British Isles have been making music for centuries, and we know that English folk music has been influenced by many different cultures.

The first people to settle in the British Isles were the Celts, who came from central Europe around 600 BC. The Celts brought with them their own musical traditions, and these had a big impact on the development of English folk music. Celtic music is characterized by its use of drones, or sustained notes, and by its complex rhythms. Celtic musicians often use unusual instruments, such as the bodhran (a type of drum) or the penny whistle (a type of flute).

The Romans also left their mark on English folk music. When the Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD, they brought with them new musical instruments and ideas. The most important Roman contribution to English folk music was the introduction ofChristianity. Christian churches would often hold services in which people would sing hymns and chants. This new form of religious music had a big impact on the development of English folk music.

Over the centuries, many other cultures have Influenced English folk music, including Spanish, French, African, and Asian cultures. This has resulted in a rich and diverse musical tradition that is truly unique to England.

The United States

In the United States, English Folk music is often referred to as “Old Timey Music” or “Appalachian Music”. The term “Old Timey” music is a reference to the fact that the vast majority of traditional English Folk songs were brought over to America by British and Irish immigrants during the 18th and 19th centuries. Because these songs were so steeped in the culture of their homeland, they often retained many of the original dialects and inflections of their native language. This made them difficult for Americans to understand, and as a result, many of the original lyrics were changed or adapted over time to better suit the American ear.

One of the most popular American adaptations of an English Folk song is “Oh, Susanna”, which was written by Stephen Foster in 1848. The original lyrics of the song were written in a British dialect, but Foster changed them to be more easily understood by Americans. He also added an upbeat, catchy melody that helped to make the song one of the most popular tunes in America at the time.

Today, there are many different styles of English Folk music being played in America. Some musicians have stayed true to the original sounds and forms, while others have taken a more modern approach, incorporating elements of rock, jazz, and even hip hop into their music. No matter what style you prefer, there is sure to be an English Folk artist out there that you’ll enjoy listening to.

English Folk Music on the Guitar

English Folk Music on the Guitar is a great way to learn to play the guitar. You can find a lot of songs online, and they are easy to follow. The best part about playing English Folk Music on the guitar is that you can learn at your own pace. You can also find a lot of other people who are playing the same thing, and you can learn from them.

Chords

Folk music often uses simple, repetitive chords, which are easy to play on the guitar. The most common chords used in folk music are the open chords, which are chords that use one or more open strings. Open chords are easy to play and sound great strummed acoustic guitar.

Here are some of the most common open chords used in folk guitar:

E-Chord: The E-chord is one of the most important and commonly used chords in folk music. It is a very versatile chord and can be used in a variety of situations. To play an E-chord, place your first finger on the second fret of the low E string and your second finger on the second fret of the A string. Strum all six strings.

A-Chord: The A-chord is another important and commonly used chord in folk music. Like the E-chord, it is very versatile and can be used in a variety of situations. To play an A-chord, place your first finger on the second fret of the low E string and your second finger on the second fret of the D string. Strum all six strings.

D-Chord: The D-chord is another important and commonly used chord in folk music. It is a bit more versatile than the E-chord and can be used in a variety of situations. To play a D-chord, place your first finger on the second fret of the G string and your second finger on the second fret of the B string. Strum all six strings.

G-Chord: The G-chord is another important and commonly used chord in folk music. Like the D-chord, it is a bit more versatile than the E-chord and can be used in a variety of situations. To play a G-chord, place your first finger on the third fret of low E string and your second finger on the third fret of high E string. Strum all six strings

Tunings

There are a great many different tunings used by guitarists to play English folk music, and new tunings are always being created. In this section we’ll look at some of the more common tunings, and how they’re used.

One of the most important things to remember when learning new tunes is that the tuning doesn’t matter nearly as much as the fingering. Once you’ve learned a tune in one tuning, it’s usually not too hard to learn it in another.

The most popular tuning for English folk music is DADGAD. This tuning gives a rich, full sound that works well for both melody and accompaniment. It’s often used for tunes in minor keys, as well as for drone-based pieces in major keys.

Another popular tuning is Open G (DGDGBD). This tuning is often used for jigs and reels, as it has a lively, upbeat sound. It’s also good for playing chord-melody arrangements.

Other common tunings include Drop D (DADGBE), Open D (DADF#AD), and various forms of regular G tuning (DGDGBE, DGBDGBE). Experiment with different tunings to find the ones that you like best.

Songs

There are many songs in the English folk tradition that have been adapted for guitar. In this section, we’ll look at some of the most popular and iconic tunes, with an emphasis on those that are played in the fingerstyle guitar tradition.

“Greensleeves” is a traditional English folk song that has been adapted for fingerstyle guitar. It is often played in anopen D tuning, with the low string tuned down to D. The tune has a flowing, lyrical quality that makes it perfect for fingerstyle guitar.

“Black Is the Color (of My True Love’s Hair)” is a traditional Scottish ballad that has been adapted forfingerstyle guitar. The melody is beautiful and haunting, and the lyrics tell a tragic tale of love and loss. This version is played in an open G tuning, with the low string tuned down to G.

“Wildwood Flower” is an American folk song that was popularized by The Carter Family. It has been adapted for fingerstyle guitar by many players over the years, including Doc Watson and Merle Travis. This version is played in standard tuning.

These are just a few of the many songs that have been adapted for fingerstyle guitar. As you explore the repertoire, you’ll find tunes that are suitable for any mood or occasion.

Conclusion

if you want to play English folk music on the guitar, you need to learn a few basic techniques. First, you’ll need to learn how to hold the pick and how to strum the chords. Next, you’ll need to learn how to fingerpick the melody. Finally, you’ll need to practice playing with a metronome so that you can keep