What is Folk Music? A Definition from AP Human Geography

Folk music is a type of music that is passed down through generations within a culture. It is typically simple in form and lyrics and is meant to be sung, not played.

Introduction

Folk music is a type of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation within a culture, and it often has roots in the traditions and values of a community. Folk music can be found all over the world, and it comes in many different forms.

In some cases, folk music may be created by groups of people who share a common cultural background or tradition. In other cases, folk music may be created by individual songwriters who are influenced by the folk music traditions of their culture.

Folk music often reflects the history and values of the people who create it. For example, many traditional folk songs tell stories about real-life events or people. These songs can be used to teach children about their family history or the history of their community. Folk songs can also be used to celebrate special occasions, such as weddings or births.

Folk music is usually passed down from one generation to the next through oral tradition. This means that folk songs are typically learned by listening to them and then singing them to other people. In some cultures, folk songs are also written down so that they can be passed down from one generation to the next in a more formal way.

Folk music is typically less complex than other types of music, such as classical or popular music. This is because folk music is usually created for recreational purposes rather than for professional purposes. Folk musicians often use simple instruments, such as guitars or drums, and they often don’t read sheet music.

While folk music can be enjoyed by people of all ages, it is often associated with older generations. This is because many traditional folk songs have been passed down from previous generations and have become an important part of the identity of a community or culture.

What is Folk Music?

Folk music is defined as music by and of the people. Folk music includes traditional music, which is passed down orally, music composed by unknown composers, and music composed by known composers working in the folk tradition. Folk music is often passed down through generations and exists in various cultures throughout the world.

Definitions

Folk music is the music of the people. It is the music of the heartland, and it is the music that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Folk music is not bound by any one genre or style. It can be traditional or contemporary, acoustic or electric, country or blues, gospel or rock. The only thing that truly defines folk music is that it is created by the people, for the people.

Folk music has always been a part of the human experience. It is the music of our ancestors, and it is the music of our future. It is the sound of who we are, and it is the sound of where we come from.

Characteristics

Folk music is a genre of music that is typically passed down orally from generation to generation. Folk music is usually associated with rural cultures and is often used to tell stories or express feelings. The term “folk music” can be difficult to define, as it can be used to describe both traditional music and contemporary music that has been influenced by folk traditions.

Some common characteristics of folk music include:
-Repetition of simple melodies
-Use of traditional instruments
-Songs about everyday life
-Stories about history, culture, and tradition
-Songs that are meant to be danced to

Folk Music in AP Human Geography

Folk music is the music of the people. It is the music of the common man and woman, as opposed to the music of the elite. Folk music is passed down from generation to generation, and often has a regional or cultural focus.

The Five Themes of AP Human Geography

One of the problems that musicologists face when they try to define folk music is that it can mean different things in different cultures. In some cultures, folk music is the traditional music of a group of people who share a common ethnicity, culture, or history. In other cultures, folk music may be the music of the common people, regardless of their ethnicity or cultural background. In still other cultures, folk music may be the traditional music of a particular region or country.

Musicologists have identified five themes that are common in folk music from around the world:

1. Love and marriage: Many folk songs tell stories about love, both romantic love and love between family members.
2. Work and labor: Folk songs often deal with the subjects of work and labor, especially songs that are sung by laborers while they are working.
3. Religion and spirituality: Religion and spirituality are common themes in folk music, as are rituals associated with religious festivals and holy days.
4. Nature: Folk songs often make references to natural phenomena such as the changing of the seasons or animals in the natural world.
5.Social life: Folk songs often deal with aspects of social life such as birth, death, and other important events in a community.

The Three Types of Folk Music

Folk music, in the strictest sense of the term, is music by and for the common people. It is oral music, passed down through generations without being written down. Folk music exists in every culture; it is the original music of the people.

Folk music can be divided into three categories: traditional folk music, contemporary folk music, and commercialized folk music.

Traditional folk music is the original folk music of a culture. It is passed down through generations, usually within a small group or community. Traditional folk music is typically simple in form and lyrics, and it often tells a story or shares a message.

Contemporary folk music is new folk music that has been influenced by other genres of music, such as pop or rock. Contemporary folk musicians may use traditional instruments or modern ones, and their lyrics may be about current issues or personal experiences.

Commercialized folk music isfolk music that has been created for profit rather than to maintain a cultural tradition. This type of folk music often uses traditional instruments and sounds but with updated lyrics about modern topics. Commercialized folk music is also sometimes called pop-folk or country-folk.

Conclusion

In conclusion, folk music is a living tradition that is passed down from person to person within a community. It is usually based around the oral tradition, and can therefore be difficult to define. Folk music often reflects the culture of the community it comes from, and can be used forboth entertainment and as a way of social commentary.