Folk Music History

We realize that this is old (very, very old), but it’s a great introduction to folk music. Folk music, and music in general, is a great part of our nation’s history.

Folk music is an English term combining both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated around the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in lots of ways: as music transmitted by voice, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers. It is opposite of commercial and classical styles. This music is also called traditional music and, in US, as “roots music”.