The Structure of Folk Music

The Structure of Folk Music is a blog dedicated to exploring the many different ways that folk music can be structured. We’ll discuss everything from song form to instrumentation, and everything in between. Whether you’re a folk musician yourself, or just a fan of the genre, we hope you’ll find something interesting here!

Introduction

Folk music, in its broadest sense, is the music of the people. It is music created and performed by common folk for their own enjoyment, typically within their own communities. This definition covers a wide range of music from traditional folk to contemporary folk. It is not limited to any one style or era.

Folk music has always been a part of human culture. It was the first music to be created and has been an important part of every society since. Folk music is passed down from generation to generation and often changes over time to reflect the changing needs and values of its community.

Folk music is usually based on simple melodies and rhythms that are easy to remember and sing. This makes it an ideal way for people to connect with each other and share their culture. Folk music is often used for dances, festivals, and other special occasions. It can also be used as a form of protest or social commentary.

The structure of folk music varies widely depending on where it comes from. Some folk songs are only a few lines long, while others tell a story or capture the history of a people. The melodies and rhythms of folk songs are often based on the local climate and environment, which gives each song a unique sound.

While folk music is usually passed down orally, some folk songs have been written down and published. These songbooks help to preserve the history and culture of a people for future generations.

What is Folk Music?

Folk music is a type of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation orally. Folk music is usually created by people who have a common cultural heritage or who share a common language. Folk music can be a part of a country’s heritage and can be used to help preserve a culture.

The Origins of Folk Music

Folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as popular, expressive, traditional music, as music existing in a fine-balance between the two poles of art-music and popular-music, or simply as that which is written by “folk” composers. Broadly speaking, the term folk music covers both traditional music and the genre that developed from it during the 20th century folk revival.

The term originated in the 19th century but is often applied tomusic older than that. Some types of folk music are also called world music. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted orally (“folk song”), as popular and expressive tunes (“folk tunes”), and as music with unknown composers (“traditionals”). It has been contrasted with commercial and classical styles. One meaning often given is that of “old songs, with no known composers”, another is that of music that has been transmitted and evolved by a process of oral tradition. The fashioning and re-fashioning of the music by the community that give it its folk character.” Such definitions depend upon ” processes rather than abstract musical types…”, upon “continuity and oral transmission…seen as characterizing one side of a cultural dichotomy, the other side being’art’…”.

One used definition is “Folk music is what the people sing”. For Scholes, in the fourth edition of The Concise Encyclopedia of Popular Music (2000), Folk Music is “…that part of a musical tradition which was evolved by oral communication between individuals or groups without literate traditions of their own”. CFRN was founded on this definition from Scholes’ Glossary (1997) – “…that body of popular songs which have never had a commercial recording made for profit out there somewhere at some stage (…) Folk songs were never just Songs people happened to sing; rather they were social changes encoded in sound.”

The Characteristics of Folk Music

While there is no one defining characteristic of folk music, there are a few common features that you’re likely to find. Folk music is usually:

-Sung by regular people, not professional musicians
– Passed down orally, from one generation to the next
– About the everyday lives of common people
– Simple in structure and lyricism
– Focused on the here and now, rather than historical events or stories

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. But in general, folk music is defined by its simplicity, its relatable subject matter, and its grassroots origins.

The Structure of Folk Music

Folk music has been around for centuries, and it is one of the most important genres in the world. Folk music is typically passed down from generation to generation, and it is often used to tell stories. The structure of folk music is usually very simple, and it often consists of just a few chords.

The Verse-Chorus Form

The verse-chorus form is one of the most common forms in folk music. It is also found in many popular songs. The form is made up of two or more sections, each with its own melody. The verses are typically sung by the lead singer, with the other singers joining in on the chorus.

The chorus is usually shorter and easier to remember than the verses, making it more likely to be catchy and memorable. Because of this, choruses are often repeated several times throughout a song. This can help to build excitement and energy, especially when the song is performed live.

The verse-chorus form can be adapted to fit any length of song, from short pop songs to longer folk ballads. It is also a flexible form, allowing for different instruments or vocals to be featured in each section. This makes it a popular choice for both solo performers and bands.

The AAB Form

The AAB form is probably the most common structure for folk songs. In this form, the song is divided into three parts, with each part being sung twice. The first and third parts (A) are usually identical, or very similar, while the middle part (B) provides contrast. For example, the first part might be in a major key, while the second part is in a minor key.

Here’s an example of AAB form using the traditional folk song “Scarborough Fair”:

A1: Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
A2: Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
B: Remember me to one who lives there
A3: She once was a true love of mine

The AABA Form

One of the most common formal structures in folk music is AABA, in which each section (or “part”) is sung or played three times, with a different melody or instrumental lead for the B part. This form is also known as ” question and answer,” because the A parts tend to be shorter and simpler than the B part, which often has more embellishments.

Conclusion

Folk music has been around for centuries, and it has been used to communicate a wide range of emotions and experiences. In spite of its popularity, there is no one “correct” way to construct a folk song. However, many folk songs do share common structural elements. This article has examined some of the most common structural features of folk music, including stanzas, refrains, chorus, and verse-chorus form. By understanding the structure of folk music, we can better appreciate the many different ways that this genre can be used to express the human experience.