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Mar 20, 2022 · Traditional folk music is a diverse concept that differs from one location to another and across different periods. So, what are the types of folk music? In this article, you’ll learn about the different varieties of folk music and their unique traits.
In its 21st-century urban and institutional manifestation, folk music is normally performed by singers accompanied by stringed instruments, by instrumental ensembles, or by choruses. By contrast, in its traditional rural venues, most folk music is monophonic (that is, having only one melodic line).
Typical genres include polyphonic folk song settings and folk song quodlibets, or combinations of familiar songs. Folk tunes were often used as structural and motivic raw material for motets and masses; likewise, the music of the Protestant Reformation borrowed from folk music.
There are many styles of folk music, all of which can be classified into various traditions, generally based around some combination of ethnic, religious, tribal, political or geographic boundaries.
Each country has their own folk music, but the genre usually refers to American and British music that has been passed through the generations by oral tradition. It's simple, acoustic-based music that spins everyday events and common people into mythic status.
The Smithsonian's collections and archives are a rich source of information on American folk music and its many genres. Smithsonian Folkways is home to a significant collection of folk music recordings with a storied history as a participant in documenting and supporting the growth of American folk. 1. 2. American Folk Fiddle.
Folk music can refer to two types of music. The first is traditional types of music that have been around as long as music itself. The second is a modern notion of folk music that arose during the 1960s in the United States. Traditional folk music is often old music by unknown songwriters.
