History of Folk Music

What is Folk? Definition of folk?

Relating to the traditional art or culture of a community or nation

Folk Music includes… Traditional Folk Music has been

developed by… has been transmitted and evolved by a

process of oral transmission or performed by custom over a long period of time.

American Traditional Music Also known as Roots Music

Includes: bluegrass, country music, gospel, jug bands, Appalachian folk, blues, Cajun and Native American music

This is considered American because it is native to the US or because it developed in the US

Folk/American Roots Types of American Roots music

Cajun: music of Louisiana, rooted in ballads of French speaking Acadians of Canada

Appalachian: traditional music of Appalachia in the eastern US. Derived from various European and African

influences (English ballads, Irish and Scottish traditional music, hymns, and African-American blues)

Folk Instruments Instruments used in folk music were

developed among common people and may not have a known inventor.

Made out of wood, metal, other simple material Ex. Banjo, guitar, jug, washboard, anything

SIMPLE! Contemporary folk: String, percussive

instruments

Roots Revival (Folk Revival) Definition of Revival…

an instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again.

The First Folk Revival: academic movement in the early 20th century an academic movement to transcribe and record

traditional British songs in the early 20th century. American Folk Revival: 1940s

Musicians collected, recorded, and published old ballads

Folk Musicians Carter Family (recorded 1927-1956)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewnfWoSQz3o

Stephen Foster (1826-1864) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S0keeGIgcY

^^Pete Seeger (1919-2014)

Transnational Revival 2010s: Folk-inspired acts became

popular in the UK and US Mumford and Sons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rId6PKlDXeU