folk music

folk music, Music held to be typical of a nation or ethnic group, known to all segments of its society, and preserved usually by oral tradition.

Knowledge of the history and development of folk music is largely conjectural. Musical notation of folk songs and descriptions of folk music culture are occasionally encountered in historical records, but these tend to reflect primarily the literate classes’ indifference or even hostility. As Christianity expanded in medieval Europe, attempts were made to suppress folk music because of its association with heathen rites and customs, and uncultivated singing styles were denigrated. During the Renaissance, new ... (100 of 7446 words)

Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Folk Music - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)

The music and songs of common people are called folk music, or traditional music. Folk music exists around the world, often in rural areas.

folk music - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Since the term folk music was first used in the 19th century, it has had many shades of meaning. Certain general characteristics, however, help distinguish folk music from such kinds as popular music and art, or classical, music.

Folk Music of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, America

Compilation of folk music from the British Islands and North America. Provides lyrics and information on every composition.

Folktrax.org

The Folk File

The Library of Congress - Southern Mosaic

Resource on folksongs of the southern United States. Covers John Avery Lomax’s and Ruby Terrill Lomax’s recording of a wide spectrum of folk music styles. Provides a map of the region, research materials, and fieldnotes.

The Library of Congress - California Gold - Folk Music from the Thirties

Collection of sound recordings, still photographs, drawings, and written documents of various European ethnic communities residing in northern California during the late 1930s and ’40s, collected by Sydney Robertson Cowell for the Work Projects Administration California Folk Music Project. Offers essays on the collector and the project, research materials, and indexes organized by subject, ethnic group, audio title, performer, and musical instrument.

The Encyclopedia of Traditional Celtic Music

Group from Northern California performing traditional Celtic music. Provides information on the origin of this musical heritage, the concerts, the techniques and instruments, and the compositions. Also features a schedule of events and related audio clips.