Folk Music Historian Seeks to Preserve Traditional Songs

Folk music historian Alan Lomax believed that traditional songs are the “voices of the people” and sought to preserve them.

Introduction

Folk music historian Alan Lomax was born in Austin, Texas, on January 31, 1915. His father, John A. Lomax, was a professor at the University of Texas and an accomplished folklorist in his own right; Alan grew up immersed in the world of traditional music. After graduation from the University of Texas in 1934, he began working for the Library of Congress’s Archive of Folk Song (now the American Folklife Center). For the next several decades, he traveled across America and around the globe, documenting traditional music and dance. He also worked with renowned artists such as Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton, and Pete Seeger to help preserve and promote traditional folk music. In 2002, the Library of Congress honored Lomax with a lifetime achievement award for his work in preserving America’s musical heritage.

What is Folk Music?

Folk music is the music of the people. It is passed down from generation to generation, and each singer or player puts his or her own individual stamp on the music. Folk music is often thought of as old-timey or rustic, but it can be anything that is handed down from person to person.

Origins of Folk Music

Most folk music historians believe that folk music originated in the Middle Ages, and was primarily transmitted orally from one generation to the next. One of the earliest types of folk music was known as “ballads”, which were songs that told stories (usually about love, loss, or murder). Many of these ballads were derivative of popular songs that were sung in public places, such as taverns and marketplaces. Over time, these ballads became increasingly complex, and often incorporated elements from other cultures (such as the Celtic culture).

As technology progressed, and people began to print sheet music, Folk music began to be recorded and disseminated in a more systematic way. One of the first recorded examples of Folk music comes from England in 1776, when Isaac Cooper published a collection of Ballads called “The Musical Graces”. This was followed by similar collections from other European countries, such as Germany (1812), Denmark (1816), and Sweden (1827). These early collections mostly contained traditional songs that had been handed down orally within families and community groups.

It wasn’t until the mid-19th century that Folk music began to be studied in a more academic way. In 1857, George Petrie published “The Ancient Music of Ireland”, which was the first systematic attempt to collect and categorize Irish Folk songs. This was followed by similar efforts in other countries, such as England ( Cecil Sharp’s “Folk Songs from Somerset”, 1916) and Sweden ( Erik Asklund’s “Svenskt visarkiv”, 1948-1973). These studies helped to preserve many traditional songs that might have otherwise been lost.

Importance of Folk Music

Folk music is the music of the people and is an important part of our musical heritage. It is a musical tradition that is passed down from generation to generation and is an integral part of our culture. Folk music is a living tradition, and as such, it is constantly evolving. It is a vital part of our musical heritage and should be preserved for future generations.

How Folk Music is Preserved

Folk music is an important part of the history and identity of many cultures around the world. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in preserving and promoting traditional folk music.

Folk music preservation can take many forms, from collecting and archiving recordings of folk songs to holding festivals and workshops to teach young people about folk music. Some folk music preservationists work within the academic world, researching and writing about folk music traditions. Others work within the music industry, producing and distributing recordings of folk music.

There are many ways to get involved in folk music preservation. One way is to support organizations that are working to preserve folk music traditions. Another way is to learn about and promote traditional Folk Music yourself!

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be said that folk music is an important part of our heritage and should be preserved. The work of folk music historians is vital to this effort, as they seek to document and preserve these traditional songs. Without their work, much of this music would be lost to future generations.