New to Folk?
What do we mean by folk?
The Current Boom
Where can I find it?
What do we mean by folk?
Finding a definition of folk music and folk arts that everybody agrees on is almost impossible. If you search the Internet and you will find hundreds including:
'Music of popular or traditional origin or style.'
'Music that originates among the common people of a nation or region and is spread about or passed down orally. It is characterised by simple melodies or Contemporary music based on traditional folk that often contains political or satirical lyrics.'
'Music indigenous to a particular ethnic group usually preserved and transmitted orally.'
'The traditional and typically anonymous music that is an expression of the life of people in a community.'
'A song that is traditionally sung by the common people of a region and forms part of their culture.'
Like most musical genres there is no definitive term for what folk is. Performers, enthusiasts, educationalists and promoters have long debated what fits into this musical box. It would appear that Scholars’ coined the term “Folk Music” in the nineteenth century describing the music of peasants or old and anonymous music, but even this is up for debate.
One thing is for certain, the numerous revivals of this music, it's ever growing acceptance as a genre and the fact that it adapts and bends with the times will keep folk music bubbling.
Below is a snippet from an American Website's definition of folk. It describes very well how Folk Music grows and changes but is rooted in the past.
"Much as scientists, in their research, have always drawn on the body of knowledge and the methods of their predecessors, performers and songwriters make use of the songs, styles, and musical ideas and techniques of those who came before them. The music they all draw on in one way or another, when you trace it back far enough, is folk music. Nowadays, record companies and pop music critics are likely to call anything with a pleasant sound and acoustic guitar, harmonica, or banjo accompaniment "folk music."
No bad thing!
www.si.umich.edu/CHICO/folkandblues/music_folk.htm
Also worth a look is the Wikepidia description - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_music#_ref-2
The Current Boom
There has never been a better time to get involved with folk music. There are certainly now more people on the stage, in the admin office, writing the reviews and providing back up than ever before.
There are definitely more people listening to our music, learning to play, dancing, recording and generally agreeing that “They do like this folk stuff”.
The challenge now is how to sustain it?
FolkArts England has played its role in this new recognition. We have provided a vehicle for a voice in Parliament, got ourselves on the National Music Council representing Folk, delivered papers at British Arts Association of Festival Organiers (BAFA), Voluntary Arts Network (VAN) and Arts Council Wales Conferences and seminars and many others.
There are more festivals with bigger audiences, more record labels, more radio stations prepared to play our music. Local & national magazines and newspapers are printing reviews and stories about us and our music, dance and song. Folk is being taken seriously.
Street Theatre and Dancing in the public eye is still a first class vehicle to bring in a new audience and now when they come in, we can deliver a music that has Folk - appeal, is easy listening and is attractive. The likes of KATE RUSBY, SETH LAKEMAN, CARA DILLON, ELIZA CARTHY, BELLOWHEAD, MORRIS OFFSPRING, WHAPWEASEL, and many more are doing this and breaking boundaries all the time.
FolklArts England will do everything it can to sustain this interest. So get involved now and enjoy the music.
Where can I find it?
Right here! Check out our members list for Festivals and Events, Develepment Projects and individuals working in Folk Music.
Also see our links page for Publications (which contain Folk Club and Gig listings), Major organisations working in Folk Music, The major Radio stations playing the music and much more.
Check out your local Arts Centre for the bigger artists coming your way and keep an eye on the local paper for smaller gigs or local Festivals.
Join FolkArts England and have access to the wealth of knoweldge and advice on offer.
Get stuck in and enjoy this wonderful music and art and do let us know how you get on.