10 Facts About British Folk Music

Discover 10 little-known facts about British folk music, from its origins to its modern-day resurgence.

The Origins of British Folk Music

The origins of British folk music can be traced back to the early Middle Ages. It is a genre of music that has been influenced by the music of the British Isles. Folk music has been passed down from generation to generation, and it is still being performed today. Here are 10 facts about British folk music.

The Celtic Influence

The Celtic Influence is one of the most important aspects of British Folk Music. Celtic music is a genre of folk music that originated in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Brittany. It is characterised by its unique melodic and rhythmic features. Many of the early folk songs were passed down orally from generation to generation, and as such they often have a strong connection to the oral traditions of the Celts.

The Celtic influence can be seen in many of the popular folk songs that are still sung today. Some of the most famous examples include ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’, ‘She Moved Through the Fair’ and ‘Danny Boy’. Celtic music has also had a significant influence on other genres of music, including rock and roll and country music.

The Anglo-Saxon Influence

Anglo-Saxon England was one of the most powerful kingdoms in Western Europe during the Early Middle Ages. It comprised present-day England, as well as parts of present-day Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Anglo-Saxon folk music was largely influenced by the music of Germany and Scandinavia. In turn, Anglo-Saxon folk music influenced the development of both Celtic and Germanic folk music traditions.

The Anglo-Saxons were a heterogeneous group of people who came to Britain from a variety of regions in northwest Europe. The majority of Anglo-Saxons came from what is now Denmark and northwestern Germany. They settled in Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries CE and established a number of kingdoms, the most powerful of which was Wessex.

The Anglo-Saxons were pagans who worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses. They also believed in wights, which were spirits that inhabited trees, stones, animals, and other natural objects. Many of their beliefs and practices were preserved in British folk tradition.

The Anglo-Saxons had a strong oral tradition and many of their stories and poems were passed down through the generations by word of mouth. This oral tradition helped to preserve a number of musical traditions that might otherwise have been lost.

Many British folk songs can trace their origins back to Anglo-Saxon England. One such song is “Scarborough Fair,” which tells the story of a young man who goes to Scarborough Fair to seek his true love. The song dates back to at least the 13th century CE and may be based on an earlier Anglo-Saxon ballad.

The Instruments of British Folk Music

Folk music is traditionally music passed down through the generations by word of mouth. It is music of the people and usually tells a story. The instruments used in folk music are often acoustic and simple, such as the fiddle,accordion, penny whistle, guitar, and bodhran.

The Fiddle

The fiddle is a bowed string instrument that is an important part of British folk music. It is often used in traditional Irish and Scottish music, and has also been popular in other forms of British folk music. The fiddle can be played solo or in a group, and is often used in dances and other performances.

The fiddle has a long history in Britain, and was brought to the country by the Romans during their occupation. It became particularly popular in the 16th century, when it was played by many famous composers and musicians. In the following centuries, the fiddle remained a popular instrument, and was used in a variety of different styles of music.

Today, the fiddle is still an important part of British folk music, and is enjoyed by many people across the country. It is often seen as a key ingredient in traditional music, and is enjoyed by both young and old.

The Bagpipes

The Scottish Highland bagpipes are the best-known type of bagpipes. They have a soft, melodic sound and are often used in traditional Scottish music. The Highland bagpipes are made up of three parts: the chanter, the drone, and the bag. The chanter is the main pipe, which is played with two hands. The drone provides a steady background note, and the bag is filled with air using either your mouth or a bellows.

Bagpipes are thought to have originated in ancient Egypt, and they were later brought to Europe by the Romans. Bagpipes became very popular in Britain during the Middle Ages, and they were often used for military marches and other ceremonies. Today, bagpipes are still used in traditional Scottish music, and they are also popular in many other genres, including Celtic music, rock, and jazz.

The Accordion

The accordion is a popular instrument in British folk music, particularly in the North West of England. It is a type of squeeze box that has a keyboard on one side and a set of bellows on the other. The player presses the keys to open the valves and allow air to flow into the reeds, which produce the sound.

The accordion was first developed in Europe in the early 19th century and was initially used for military band music. It became popular in folk music circles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in countries like Italy, Germany, Poland and Russia. In Britain, it was often used in dance bands and ceilidh bands (a type of traditional Scottish dance band).

There are different types of accordion, including diatonic (which has two rows of keys), chromatic (which has four rows of keys) and button accordions (which have a row of buttons instead of keys). The most common type of accordion used in British folk music is the diatonic accordion.

If you’re interested in learning to play the accordion, there are plenty of resources available online, including tutorials, lesson plans and sheet music.

The History of British Folk Music

Folk music has been around in Britain for centuries, with its roots dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period. Over the years, it has evolved and developed into the rich and varied musical tradition that we have today. Here are 10 facts about British folk music.

The Renaissance

The Renaissance was a period of great change in Europe. With the fall of the Roman Empire, many people turned to the Church for guidance and stability. The Church became a powerful force in society, and music was often used to praise God or teach religious stories.

During the Renaissance, many new musical styles were developed. The most famous composers of this time were Guillaume Dufay, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and Orlando Gibbons.

British folk music has its roots in the music of the Renaissance. Many of the instruments we associate with folk music, such as the fiddle, were first introduced during this time.

The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution was a period of time in the late 18th and early 19th centuries when new technologies were invented that allowed for the mass production of goods. This period also saw a huge growth in the population, as people moved from rural areas to cities in search of work. All of these factors combined to create a rich environment for the development of folk music.

The Revival of British Folk Music

In the late 1950s, a group of young musicians in England began to revive the country’s traditional folk music. Inspired by the work of musicologists such as Cecil Sharp and A. L. Lloyd, they sought to rediscover and popularize the songs and dances of the rural people of Britain. The British folk music revival of the 1960s and 1970s brought the music to a new audience, and it has continued to thrive in the 21st century. Here are 10 facts about the revival of British folk music.

The 1960s

In the 1960s, there was a sudden explosion of interest in British folk music, partly due to the work of A.L. Lloyd and Ewan MacColl, who were part of the popular BBC Radio Ballads series. At the same time, groups like The Watersons and The Young Tradition were keeping traditional folk music alive while also modernizing it.

In 1967, Fairport Convention released their self-titled debut album, which featured their now-famous arrangement of the traditional ballad “A Sailor’s Life.” This album is often credited with sparking the “British Folk Revival” of the 1960s and 1970s.

During this time, many young people became interested in traditional folk music for the first time and began to play it themselves. This led to a renewed interest in British folk music and its history.

Today, there are many young British folk musicians who are keeping the tradition alive. Some notable names include Eliza Carthy, Kate Rusby, and Seth Lakeman.

The 1970s and 1980s

In the 1970s and 1980s, there was a resurgence of interest in British folk music, led by artists such as Shirley Collins, Martin Carthy, The Watersons, The Spinners, and Steeleye Span. This was partly due to the work of Alan Lomax and Ewan MacColl in collecting and disseminating traditional songs, and partly due to the influence of new wave and punk music. Folk clubs proliferated across the country, providing a venue for both traditional performers and new talents such as Tim Hart and Maddy Prior (of Steeleye Span) and June Tabor.

The Contemporary British Folk Scene

British folk music has come a long way since its early days. Folk music was once the music of the people, but it has since evolved into a genre that is enjoyed by people of all ages. The contemporary British folk scene is thriving, and there are a number of talented artists making great music. Here are 10 facts about British folk music that you may not know.

The Young British Folk Scene

Today’s British folk scene is thriving, with a huge number of young musicians carrying on the tradition of playing folk music. Here are ten facts about the contemporary British folk scene:

1. Some of the most popular contemporary British folk musicians got their start playing in busking sessions on the London Underground.

2. Many young folk musicians are reviving traditional songs and tunes that have been passed down through the generations.

3. The majority of today’s British folk music is played on acoustic instruments, such as guitars, fiddles, and mandolins.

4. Contemporary British folk music often features a mix of traditional and modern influences.

5. Folk music plays an important role in preserve British culture and heritage.

6. The contemporary British folk scene is very inclusive, with people of all ages and backgrounds coming together to enjoy the music.

7. There is a strong sense of community within the contemporary British folk scene, with many musicians working together to support each other’s careers.

8. Music festivals play a big part in promoting contemporary British folk music, with many festivals now featuring dedicated stages for folk acts.

9. Radio programmes such as Radio 2’s ‘Folk Show’ and BBC Radio 3’s ‘Late Junction’ play a vital role in championing new talent within the genre.

The British Folk Festivals

Folk music isn’t just about the past – it’s still very much alive and evolving today. British folk music has been enjoying a renaissance in recent years, with a new wave of artists bringing the genre to a wider audience. Here are 10 facts about the contemporary British folk scene.

1. There’s been a resurgence of interest in folk music in recent years, with a new generation of performers and fans keeping the tradition alive.

2. The annual Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the most important events on the folk calendar, and has been running since 1965.

3. Folk music is often seen as quintessentially English, but there are strong traditions from other parts of the UK too – including Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

4. While some folk songs date back centuries, others are much more recent – reflecting changes and events in society over time.

5. Many traditional folk songs were never written down, but were instead passed down orally from generation to generation.

6. In the 1960s, there was a revival of interest in traditional British folk music, led by artists such as Davy Graham and Martin Carthy.

7. Fairport Convention are one of the most influential bands in the history of British folk music, and their 1967 album ‘Leigion’ is considered a classic of the genre.

8. Today’s generation of British folk musicians includes some highly acclaimed performers such as Eliza Carthy, Kate Rusby and Shore favor Laura Marling . .
9 Some critics have argued thatfolk music is enjoying something of a ‘golden age’ at present, with more people than ever before interested in listening to and playing it.. . . .10 If you’re keen to explore the world of contemporary British folk music further,.