A Brief Folk Music History

A folk music history blog discussing the origins and evolution of folk music around the world.

Origins

Though the term “folk music” was not coined until the 19th century, the music itself is much older. Folk music is the traditional music of a people or “folk”. It is the music that was passed down orally, from generation to generation. The term “folk music” is used to describe a wide variety of music from around the world.

Europe

Folk music has been around since the beginning of human history, with every culture developing its own unique variety. While it has undergone many changes over the millennia, folk music is still very much alive and well today.

Europe is home to some of the oldest and most influential folk traditions in the world. Celtic folk music, for example, has had a huge impact on modern music, with many popular bands incorporating traditional Celtic sounds into their work. Other important European folk traditions include Nordic folk music, Germanic folk music, Roma (Gypsy) folk music, and Slavic folk music.

America

Folk music in America has been shaped by many different cultures and traditions, from the English, Irish and Scottish settlers of the Appalachians to the African slaves of the deep south. The genre has also been influenced by the Native American, Hispanic and Asian cultures that have made America their home.

The first American folk music was born of the English, Irish and Scottish traditions that were brought over by the early settlers of the Appalachians. This music was often played on simple instruments like the fiddle and banjo, and was used to tell stories or express emotions.

As America began to grow and expand, so did its folk music. The African slaves brought their own musical traditions with them when they were brought to the deep south, and these traditions mixed with those of the Appalachian settlers to create a new sound. This new sound was shaped by the experiences of life in America, from working in the fields to dancing at parties.

The 20th century saw a renaissance of American folk music, as artists like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger popularized the genre with their songs about social justice and political protest. Today, folk music is still being created in America, drawing on its rich history and diverse culture.

Characteristics

Folk music has been around for centuries, and has its origins in the music of the working class. Folk music is typically characterized by its simple, catchy melodies and its use of traditional instruments. Folk music is also often based on traditional folk tales and legends.

Instrumentation

Folk music is traditionally accompanied by a diverse range of instruments. The most common instruments used are string instruments, such as the violin, guitar, mandolin and banjo, but many folk songs also feature other instrumentation such as the piano, accordion, harmonica, flute and drums. In recent years, however, there has been a trend towards using electronic instruments in folk music, particularly in forms of folk-pop and folktronica.

Lyrics

Folk music is generally used to describe a musical tradition that is passed down orally from generation to generation. Folk music is typically simple in form and melody, and it often tells stories about the everyday lives of the people who created it.

One of the most important aspects of folk music is its lyrics. In many cases, folk songs are created to tell a particular story, or to comment on a current event or social issue. Because folk music is passed down orally, the lyrics are often adapted over time to reflect the changing experiences and concerns of the people who sing them.

Folk songs often deal with themes of love, loss, age, death, war, and poverty. They also often include references to local places and regional dialects. The lyrics of folk songs are usually written in simple language that can be easily understood by everyone.

While the melodies of folk songs can be quite complex, they are usually designed to be easy to remember and sing. This allows folk songs to be passed down from one generation to the next with minimal changes.

The popularity of folk music has ebbed and flowed over the years, but it has always remained an important part of the musical traditions of many cultures around the world.

Melody

Folk music is a genre of popular music that originated in the 19th century. It takes its roots from the traditional music of Britain and Ireland. The term “folk” refers to the musical traditions of a particular culture or group of people.

Folk music is often passed down from generation to generation, and it has been influenced by many different cultures over the years. It is typically characterized by its simple melodies and harmonies, as well as its use of traditional instruments.

Folk music has been an important part of many cultures around the world for centuries. In recent years, it has undergone a revival in popularity, thanks in part to the rise of online streaming services and social media platforms such as YouTube and Spotify.

Styles

Folk music has been around for centuries, and it has undergone many changes over the years. It is originally a genre of music that is passed down from generation to generation, and it typically consists of songs that tell stories. Folk music has been used as a way to express feelings and emotions, and it has even been used as a form of protest. There are many different styles of folk music, and each one has its own unique history.

Celtic

Celtic music is a huge umbrella term that can refer to music from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and Galicia. It’s difficult to pin down what makes Celtic music sound Celtic, but often it’s the use of traditional instruments like the Irish flute, tin whistle, accordion, and fiddle that give it that characteristic sound. In recent years, Celtic fusion has become popular, incorporating elements of rock and roll, jazz, and even hip hop into traditional Celtic music.

Bluegrass

Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a subgenre of country music. It has its own roots in English, Scottish, and Irish ballads of the British Isles, as well as traditional African-American blues and gospel music. Bluegrass was originally created by musicians who played a mix of these musical styles on acoustic instruments such as the banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin.

The name “bluegrass” comes from the genre’s principal instrument, the bluegrass guitar, named after Bill Monroe’s band, The Blue Grass Boys. The style is characterized by three- or four-part close harmony singing; fast tempos; strict timing (most often in 4/4 time); solid violin and banjo backup; and distinctive instrumentation.

Each instrument takes turns playing the melody while the others provide accompaniment, creating a complex yet cohesive sound. This style of music was first popularized by Monroe’s band in the 1940s, but it did not gain its current name until the late 1950s. Bluegrass today is most commonly associated with artists such as Alison Krauss, Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs, Dolly Parton, and The Stanley Brothers.

Old-time

Old-time music is a genre of North American folk music. It developed along with various North American folk dances, such as square dancing, clogging, and buck dancing. It is played on acoustic instruments, generally centering on a fiddle. It frequently uses a guitar, mandolin, and banjo as well. Hammered dulcimers are also sometimes used.

Old-time songs are often sentimental ballads about love and loss, immigration and loss of home, religion, or gambling. Lyric styles in old-time music often include humor. Musically, old-time songs are generally dance tunes or ballads that were derived from British and Irish sources that were transplanted to the Appalachians and other parts of North America by Scotch-Irish immigrants during the colonial period.

Notable Artists

Though often overshadowed by other genres, folk music has been around for centuries and has exerted a significant influence on various artists. Joan Baez, for example, is a folk singer who is known for her political activism. Woody Guthrie is another notable folk singer who was a key figure in the American folk music revival in the 1940s and 1950s.

Joan Baez

Joan Baez is a folk singer, songwriter, and activist who has been a leading voice in the folk music scene for over 60 years. Born in New York City in 1941, Baez began her musical career in the late 1950s with a series of influential folk albums that featured her distinctive vocal style and guitar playing. She became an important figure in the 1960s protest movement, performing at anti-war rallies and civil rights protests. In the 1970s, she turned her attention to environmental and human rights causes. Baez continues to make music and tour regularly, and she remains an active voice in the fight for social justice.

Woody Guthrie

Woody Guthrie was an American folk singer and songwriter who was hugely influential in the development of folk music in the 20th century. His best-known song is “This Land Is Your Land,” which has become an unofficial national anthem. Guthrie was a major force in the American folk music revival of the 1940s and 1950s. He wrote hundreds of political, social, and religious songs, and many of his songs have been adapted by other artists over the years.

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, author, and visual artist who has been a major figure in popular culture for more than 50 years. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s, when songs such as “Blowin’ in the Wind” (1963) and “The Times They Are a-Changin'” (1964) became anthems of the anti-war and civil rights movements. His lyrics during this period incorporated a wide range of political, social, philosophical, and literary influences. They defied existing pop music conventions and appealed to the burgeoning counterculture.

Dylan’s early songs such as “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are a-Changin'” became anthems of both the civil rights and anti-war movements. His lyrics incorporated a wide range of political, social, philosophical, and literary influences. During this period he won six Grammy Awards; including Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for Take 1 in 1966.