What Is the Difference Between Popular Music and Folk Music?
Contents
There are many different types of music out there, and it can be hard to keep them all straight. What is the difference between popular music and folk music? Here’s a quick rundown.
Introduction
Popular music and folk music are two of the most common genres of music that people listen to. Both genres have their own unique characteristics and history. Here, we will take a look at the main differences between popular music and folk music.
Popular music is often associated with commercialism and mass production. This is because popular music is typically produced by professional musicians who are signed to record labels. Folk music, on the other hand, is more grassroots and often involves musicians who are not signed to record labels. Folk music often has a more rustic or homely sound than popular music.
The lyrics of popular songs tend to be about love, heartbreak, or other personal emotions. The lyrics of folk songs, on the other hand, often deal with social or political issues. Folk songs are also more likely to tell stories than popular songs.
The origins of popular music can be traced back to the early 20th century, while the origins of folk music date back much further. Folk music has its roots in the oral traditions of various cultures around the world. Many popular songs have their roots in folk songs that have been adapted over time.
What Is Popular Music?
Popular music is a genre of music that is enjoyed by a wide range of people. It is often played on the radio and in clubs. It is usually made by professional musicians. Folk music, on the other hand, is music that is passed down from generation to generation. It is usually played on acoustic instruments.
Defining Characteristics
Popular music is a broad category of commercial music, made popular by being accessible to the general public and having a recognizably modern or traditional style.
Folk music, on the other hand, is typically older music, passed down through oral tradition. It often has a rural or regional focus, and its style is usually unique to its region of origin.
History
It is difficult to say when popular music began. Most historians agree that it emerged in the mid-19th century, concurrently with the development of mass media and transport systems, as a commercial product aimed at a wider audience than earlier forms of music such as folk or classical music.
Some popular styles of music can be traced back to specific historical events, such as the blues after the American Civil War, or tango in Argentina after the collapse of the country’s economy in the late 19th century. Other styles, such as rock ‘n’ roll or rap, have their origins in specific subcultures within broader society.
The term “popular music” is often used interchangeably with “pop music”, although the latter is a more specific genre within popular music. Pop music is usually rooted in commercial recordings, rather than live performances, and tends to be more focused on creating a sound that is accessible and easy to listen to.
What Is Folk Music?
Folk music is a genre of music that is passed down through generations. It is usually orally transmitted and is often based on a particular region or culture. Folk music is often created by unknown artists and is usually closely related to the traditions and beliefs of the culture it comes from.
Defining Characteristics
Folk music can be defined in many ways, but one common thread is that it is music by and for the people. It is often passed down through the generations by word of mouth, and it often has a strong connection to the land, its history, and its people.
There are many different types of folk music, from the traditional sounds of England and Ireland to the more modern Americana of Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly. But all folk music shares some common characteristics:
* It is typically simple in form and melody.
* It often tells a story, or communicates a message.
* It usually uses acoustic instruments (such as guitars, banjos, and fiddles) although some folk songs are sung unaccompanied.
* It is usually based on traditional melodies and chord progressions, although some folk songs are original compositions.
* It is usually taught by ear rather than by reading sheet music.
History
Folk music has been around since the beginning of time. Every culture has its own folk music, which is passed down from generation to generation. Folk music is the music of the people, and it’s always changing and evolving.
Folk music is usually specific to a certain region or culture. It’s often about the everyday lives of the people who create it. Folk songs often tell stories about love, loss, work, and play. They also reflect the joys and sorrows of everyday life.
Folk music is different from popular music, which is created for mass consumption. Popular music is usually created by professional musicians and songwriters, while folk music is created by the people who live it. Folk music has a more personal feel to it, and it’s often more directly connected to the culture it comes from.
Comparison
The main difference between popular music and folk music is that popular music is created by professional musicians who are affiliated with the music industry, while folk music is created by everyday people who are not affiliated with the music industry.
Popular music is usually created by professional musicians who have signed record deals and are associated with the music industry. These musicians often write their own songs or work with songwriters to create hits for the general public. Folk music, on the other hand, is created by everyday people who are not affiliated with the music industry. Folk musicians often play traditional songs that have been passed down through generations, or they may write their own songs about their personal experiences.
Conclusion
So, what is the difference between popular music and folk music? In short, popular music is created for and performed by professional musicians, while folk music is created by the people who live in a particular culture. Popular music often has a commercial aspect to it, while folk music is more about tradition and community.
