Folk music is defined as traditionally based music, by most dictionaries. In most countries, its origins are not always clear. For example, in England only the music played in royal courts or churches was actually written down at the time, so very early examples of this music can still be played today. However, the music of the general population was not preserved in this way, so there are very few examples of this kind of early folk music.
It can be assumed that people have always sung, so folk music has very deep roots. The earliest reference to people singing accompanied by an instrument in England is from the 600's. The Venerable Bede refers to feasts at which people sang accompanied by the harp. The poet Caedmon wrote some of the earliest folk songs, very few of his songs survive, but his song Hymn was written down and is known today. It does not sound much like modern folk music, but it is purported by some to be the earliest surviving example of English folk music.
By the early 1500s, a strong division between the type of music listened to by the ruling classes and the music the rest of the populous was beginning to enjoy was developing. This is when the English Folk music genre, that we are familiar with today, really began to develop. By the mid 1600s, there was very little similarity between the two styles of music. The instruments used, the subject matter of the lyrics and the rhythm of the music were all different. Folk music had become a genre of music in its own right. By the early 1700s, the term folk music began to be used to describe this music of the masses.
English folk music has evolved drastically in the past 100 years. Today there are many forms including electric folk, folk punk, folk metal, folk rock and Celtic folk, all of which have their origins in traditional folk music. New technology and instruments have allowed folk music to evolve and continue to appeal to the masses. The songs are still about everyday life and follows similar rhythms, but the sound of folk music is now very different. However, many of today's folk musicians pay homage to the roots of their music by reworking traditional folk songs, some of which are over 200 years old.
Once it was possible to record music, people began to hear music from all over the country and the world. Instead of folk music influencing other styles of music as it had done in the past, folk music was influenced and changed to meet the tastes of the modern masses.
It can be assumed that people have always sung, so folk music has very deep roots. The earliest reference to people singing accompanied by an instrument in England is from the 600's. The Venerable Bede refers to feasts at which people sang accompanied by the harp. The poet Caedmon wrote some of the earliest folk songs, very few of his songs survive, but his song Hymn was written down and is known today. It does not sound much like modern folk music, but it is purported by some to be the earliest surviving example of English folk music.
By the early 1500s, a strong division between the type of music listened to by the ruling classes and the music the rest of the populous was beginning to enjoy was developing. This is when the English Folk music genre, that we are familiar with today, really began to develop. By the mid 1600s, there was very little similarity between the two styles of music. The instruments used, the subject matter of the lyrics and the rhythm of the music were all different. Folk music had become a genre of music in its own right. By the early 1700s, the term folk music began to be used to describe this music of the masses.
English folk music has evolved drastically in the past 100 years. Today there are many forms including electric folk, folk punk, folk metal, folk rock and Celtic folk, all of which have their origins in traditional folk music. New technology and instruments have allowed folk music to evolve and continue to appeal to the masses. The songs are still about everyday life and follows similar rhythms, but the sound of folk music is now very different. However, many of today's folk musicians pay homage to the roots of their music by reworking traditional folk songs, some of which are over 200 years old.
Once it was possible to record music, people began to hear music from all over the country and the world. Instead of folk music influencing other styles of music as it had done in the past, folk music was influenced and changed to meet the tastes of the modern masses.
About the Author:
Want to find out more about folk music? Visit our site and find out all there is to know about British folk music and the UK music scene.
No comments:
Post a Comment