Sub Genres of Folk Music

There are many sub genres of folk music. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most popular sub genres and what sets them apart from each other.

American folk music

Folk music of the United States refers to the music that is typically the product of a mixture of ethnic groups, including Native Americans, African Americans, Anglo-Americans, Irish, Scottish, Italian, Hispanic and others. It also includes music that has been influenced by more modern genres such as blues and pop. American folk music is often divided into two broad categories: traditional folk and contemporary folk.

Traditional folk refers to the older folk songs that have been passed down from generation to generation, usually within a specific region or ethnicity. Contemporary folk refers to more recent folk songs that have been written in more modern times. Contemporary folk may also incorporate elements of other genres, such as pop or rock.

Some subgenres of American folk music include country folk, bluegrass, Cajun music, honky tonk and Chicano music.

British folk music

British folk music has its roots in the music of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It has been influenced by many other genres including American folk music, jazz, and rock and roll. British folk music has often been used as a vehicle for political or social commentary, and it has also played an important role in the development of other genres such as ROCK music.

Celtic folk music

Celtic folk music is a genre of folk music that developed out of the traditional music of the Celtic people of Western Europe. It is a category of traditional music that includes everything from ancient ballads and dance tunes to more modern songs.

The term “Celtic” refers to a group of languages spoken by the Celts, a group of Indo-European peoples who settled in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany. The Celtic language family includes Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Breton, and Cornish. These languages all share common features, such as Celtic words for “music” (goltraí) and “song” (æle).

Celtic folk music is characterized by its use of traditional instruments such as the fiddle, penny whistle, accordion, and bagpipes. It often has a distinctive melody that is punctuated by ornate embellishments. The lyrics of Celtic folk songs often tell stories about love, loss, nature, and other aspects of life in the Celtic countries.

The earliest examples of Celtic folk music date back to the middle ages when the Celts were firststarting to settle in Ireland and Scotland. In the centuries since then, Celtic folk music has undergone many changes but has maintained its distinctiveness. Today, it is enjoyed by people all over the world who appreciate its unique sound and history.

Nordic folk music

Nordic folk music includes a number of traditions in Northern European, especially Scandinavian, countries. The Nordic countries include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden as well as the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Ã…land. Also included are the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Folk music in this region is sometimes called p Nordic folk music or North Germanic folk music.

Eastern European folk music

Eastern European folk music includes a wide variety of styles, from the music of the Roma (Gypsies) to the more modernly influenced countries of Poland and Romania. Each country has its own unique take on folk music, and even within countries there can be regional variations. Some common instruments used in Eastern European folk music include the violin, accordion, and flute.

Western European folk music

Folk music is a type of traditional music that is typically passed down from generation to generation within a community, and it often has regional roots. Western European folk music is a broad category that encompasses many subgenres, including Celtic, English, French, German, Italian, Nordic, and Spanish folk music. Each of these subgenres has its own unique history, instruments, and style.

Celtic folk music is perhaps the best-known type of Western European folk music. It originated in the Celtic countries of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany (a region in northwestern France), and it is characterized by its use of traditional Celtic instruments such as the fiddle, penny whistle, and accordion. Celtic folk music often has a lively, upbeat sound and is often used in Irish dancing.

English folk music also has a long history dating back to the Renaissance period. It was during this time that the first English folksongs were written down and collected. Since then, English folk music has undergone many changes and it now includes a variety of subgenres including Morris dance music (a type of traditional English dance), sea shanties (songs sung by sailors), and border ballads (songs that tell stories about British border disputes).

French folk music includes elements from both the Celtic and Germanic traditions. The most well-known type of French folk music is Cajun music, which originated in the 18th century in the Acadiana region of Louisiana (which was then part of France). Cajun music is characterized by its use of the accordion and its focus on themes of family, love, and loss. Other types of French folk music include Breton music (from Brittany) and Occitan music (from southern France).

Germanic folk music encompasses a wide range of subgenres from all over Germany as well as Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland Czech Republic , Slovakia , Slovenia , Croatia , Bosnia & Herzegovina , Montenegro , Serbia
and Northwestern Russia . Folk songs in this genre often tell stories about historical events or mythical figures. Germanic instruments include the accordion , concertina , fiddle , zither , bagpipes , German flute (“D-flute”), hammered dulcimer (“Hackbrett”), jaw harp (“Maultrommel”), lute (“Laute”), ocarina namesakes), recorders

German flutes are commonly called “D-flutes”, because they are tuned in D major . There are also B♭ flutes available; however they are not commonly used in Germanic Folk Music .

Icelandic Folk Music includes subgenres such as þjóðlag (Icelandic traditionals), gammeldanslag (‘old-time dance tunes’), byssulag (‘buzz Polska ‘ tunes), kleinlensku söngvar (‘child songs’), vínylakörfubalar (‘vinyl disc polkas ‘), geng Stefán frá Húsavík int your garage ), hljómalind (‘echo tunes’), þverauki horfinn á milli Skagafjarðar og Reykjavíkur this river between Skagafjörður Reykjavik ) á esju í hringi mér I am seven around me ), lögin mín My laws ), barnalögin child laws ). Instruments utilized include angklung rattle made out bamboo pipes suspended on a frame ), clapping sticks hit together marimba keys plucked with mallets similar to those used on xylophones ), ganga hanging gong played with a stick ), genggong large gong suspended vertically pounded with padded sticks or mallets played solo or in ensembles for gamelan orchestras ), saron row small gongs played with heavy mallets for gamelan ensembles or individually for trance rituals ), selunding large hanging gong played with padded sticks or mallets Lettenmair 1996: 221 .

Australasian folk music

Australasian folk music is the traditional music of countries of the Southern Hemisphere, including Australian Folk Music, New Zealand Folk Music, and the music of various Oceanian islands. The term “Australasian” can also refer to all of the peoples of Australasia, including Austronesians such as the Polynesians and Melanesians as well as Australians and New Zealanders.

Latin American folk music

Latin American folk music encompasses a wide variety of styles, including music from Spanish-speaking countries and territories as well as Portuguese-speaking countries and territories. The music has its roots in the cultures of the indigenous people of the Americas as well as the cultures of Spain, Portugal, and Africa.

Some of the most popular styles of Latin American folk music include bolero, salsa, merengue, rumba, cha-cha-cha, and samba. Latin American folk music has also been influenced by a number of other genres, including rock, pop, jazz, and classical music.

African folk music

African folk music is the traditional music of the various peoples of Africa. It is a category of traditional music that includes all types of folk music from various parts of the continent. African folk music has been influenced by many factors, including geography, history, and culture. The continent’s many regions and nations each have their own unique brand of folk music.

African folk music is typically passed down orally from one generation to the next. Instruments used in African folk music include drums, flutes, guitars, and other percussion instruments. The music often features call-and-response vocals and is usually accompanied by dancing.

Middle Eastern folk music

Middle Eastern folk music refers to the folk music of the various countries and regions of the Middle East. It encompasses a wide range of styles and genres, including traditional folk music, modern popular music, as well as sacred music.