Folk Music in America

Folk music in America has a rich history, dating back to the early days of the country. In this blog, we explore the various genres and styles of folk music, from traditional ballads to more modern folk-rock.

Origins

Folk music in America is as old as the country itself. Its roots can be traced back to the music of the British Isles, Africa, and the music of the Native Americans. American folk music is a mix of all of these influences.

British and Irish influences

Folk music in America has its roots in the music of Britain and Ireland. In the United States, folk music is often used to refer to music that is based on the traditional music of the region, as well as music that has been influenced by this type of music. Folk music in America has also been influenced by the music of other cultures, including African American and Native American cultures.

African American influences

African American music is one of the most influential genres in America. It has helped to shape the sound of virtually every other type of music, from country and western to rock and roll. African American music is also unique in that it often combines elements of both European and African musical traditions.

The African American musical tradition is rooted in the songs, spirituals, and work chants of slaves who were brought to the Americas from Africa. These early tunes were often based on simple harmonic structures and featured call-and-response patterns. The spirituals, in particular, were very important to the slaves, as they provided a way to express their deep religious beliefs.

As slaves began to gain their freedom, they began to develop their own musical traditions. The blues, for example, originated in the American South and was heavily influenced by both African and European musical traditions. The blues is characterized by its use of blue notes (notes that are played or sung at a slightly lower pitch than usual), as well as its 12-bar chord progression (a type of chord progression that uses only three chords).

Jazz is another genre that was developed by African Americans. Like the blues, jazz is heavily influenced by both African and European musical traditions. Jazz is characterized by its syncopated rhythms (rhythms that are offset from the main beat), as well as its improvisational style (a style of playing in which musicians spontaneously create melodic lines).

Today, African American music remains highly influential. Many contemporary genres — such as hip hop and R&B — would not exist without the innovations of early African American musicians.

Styles

American folk music is a musical tradition that includes a wide variety of styles, from the traditional ballads of the British Isles to the music of the Native Americans. Folk music is also the music of the people, and it has been passed down from generation to generation. In this article, we will take a look at some of the different styles of folk music in America.

Appalachian

A product of the British Isles, Appalachia is best known for its bluegrass music, which is a mix of English, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh folk music that was brought over by immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries. Bluegrass is characterized by its use of the banjo, fiddle, and acoustic guitar, as well as its fast tempos and complex melodies. In recent years, Appalachian music has also been influenced by country and rock music.

Cajun

Cajun music is a type of folk music that originated in the Gulf Coast region of Louisiana. It is a blend of French, Spanish, African, and Native American influences. Cajun music is typically played on fiddles, accordions, and guitars.

New England

New England is home to a distinct style of folk music that has its roots in the Puritan tradition of early American settlers. This music is often characterized by its simplicity and by its focus on religious themes. Many of the most popular folk songs from this region are hymns and spirituals that were adapted for use in churches and homes.

Some of the most well-known New England folk songs include “Amazing Grace,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” and “Rock of Ages.” These songs have been performed by many different artists over the years, and they continue to be popular among both folk music fans and general audiences.

Notable Performers

Over the years, there have been many folk performers who have made a name for themselves in America. Some of the most notable folk performers include Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, and Pete Seeger. These performers have helped to shape the sound of American folk music and have influenced many other performers who have come after them.

Woody Guthrie

Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Guthrie was an American singer-songwriter and musician who is frequently cited as an inspiration for the folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s. He wrote hundreds of political, workers’, and children’s songs, along with ballads and improvised works. His best-known works include “This Land Is Your Land”, “Bound for Glory”, “Pastures of Plenty”, “Jesus Christ”, and “Pretty Boy Floyd”. He frequently performed with the Indo-American Folk musicians Lead Belly and Cisco Houston. Many of his recorded songs are archived in the Library of Congress.

Pete Seeger

Pete Seeger was an influential folk musician in America during the mid-20th century. He was a member of The Weavers, a folk group who had several hits in the 1950s, and he also wrote or co-wrote songs like “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”, and “If I Had a Hammer”. Seeger was known for his social and political activism, lending his music to causes like the civil rights movement and environmentalism. He was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.

Joan Baez

Joan Baez is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist whose contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest or social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing over 30 albums. Fluent in Spanish and English, she has recorded songs in at least six other languages. Although generally regarded as a folk singer, her music has diversified since the counterculture days of the 1960s and encompasses genres such as folk rock, pop, country and gospel music.

Baez achieved immediate success following her debut album Joan Baez (1960), reaching number two on the Billboard chart for Folk Albums and remaining there for 37 weeks. Her subsequent albums achieved gold and platinum status in several countries, including the United States where Surrender (2000) peaked at number five on Billboard’s Convertible Bond chart. Her best-known compositions include “Diamonds & Rust” (1975) and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” (1971), which were both covered by Bob Dylan. She is also known for “Farewell, Angelina” (1965), “Love Is Just a Four-Letter Word” (1966), “Here’s to You” (1967), made popular by its use in Ennio Morricone’s score for the film Sacco e Vanzetti (1971), as well as many protest songs such as her cover versions of Woody Guthrie’s “Deportee” (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) and Steve Earle’s “The Revolution Starts…Now”.

Contemporary Scene

American folk music is often thought of as something from the past, but it’s very much alive and well in the present day. Today’s folk music scene is thriving, with new artists and bands springing up all the time. The music has also been influenced by other genres, resulting in a unique sound that is all its own.

The Revivalists

The American folk-music revival began during the 1940s and peaked in popularity in the mid-1960s. Its roots went earlier, and performers like burlesque comedian Will Rogers and hillbilly singer Uncle Dave Macon were popular during the 1920s and 1930s. The revival brought traditional songs and styles, particularly those from Appalachia and the Southeast, to urban centers and commercial media; by 1965, Bob Dylan was electrifying audiences with his brand of intensely personal songwriting.

During the early 1960s a number of important folksingers emerged, including Joan Baez, Peggy Seeger (half-sister of Mike), Judy Collins, John Fahey, Phil Ochs, and Tom Paxton. All were welcomed into the fast-growing coffeehouse circuit that was spreading across America; these small clubs provided a supportive atmosphere for performer and audience alike. Dylan’s backing band The Band was also an important part of the scene; their 1968 debut Music from Big Pink was one of the first albums to successfully fuse folk with rock & roll.

The Avett Brothers

The Avett Brothers are an American folk rock band formed in 2000 in Concord, North Carolina. The band consists of two brothers, Scott Avett and Seth Avett, who play banjo, guitar, and piano respectively. The Avett Brothers sing about love, life, death, and despair with Feste’s beautiful cello melodies cutting through the air. They have released nine studio albums on Ramseur Records and appeared on numerous television shows and movies.

Mumford and Sons

Mumford and Sons is a contemporary folk rock band that formed in London in 2007. The band consists of Marcus Mumford (lead vocals, guitar, drums), Ben Lovett (vocals, keyboard, piano), Winston Marshall (vocals, banjo, dobro), and Ted Dwane (bass guitar, double bass, backing vocals). The band’s debut album “Sign No More” was released in 2009 to critical acclaim and commercial success. The album peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart and entered the US Billboard 200 at number 17. “Babel”, the band’s second studio album, was released in 2012 to similar success. It debuted at number one on both the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200. “Wilder Mind”, the band’s third studio album, was released in 2015. It debuted at number one on both the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200. The band has won numerous awards, including four Grammy Awards and a Brit Award.