While the history of folk music can be traced back almost 1,000 years, the emergence of the genre as a modern type of popular music did not happen until the end of the 19^th century. This is because, before the era of recording, music sung by groups of people at work or at home would be classed as folk, although other genres would emerge from various cultures, such as how jazz did from slaves in the southern United States.

Founding Fathers of Folk

A chance meeting on Boxing Day 1899 by Cecil Sharp and the Headington Quarry Morris Men, who were trying to make some extra money over the festive period by playing concertina and dancing together, represents the birth of modern folk music.

Throughout the early part of the 20^th century, folk music would remain under the radar, although acts such as Jimmie Rodgers and the Carters and The Lomaxes would be popular at this time, they were classed more as traditional country artists, despite their sound being very close to what we would call folk today.

Folk Revival

Folk would remain a peripheral genre in the music industry until after World War 2, when a folk revival in the United States and the United Kingdom saw it become hugely popular. The categorisation of some of the biggest artists of the mid to late 20^th century certainly helped this to happen, with Bob Dylan and Donovan being widely credited as contemporary folk artists, due to their ability to blend traditional folk music with popular trends of the time including rock and roll and jazz.

The Identity of Folk Music

Around the world, folk music has its own identity in different countries. Although most in the western world would associate with commercial folk music, in places like Eastern Europe, South America, and across some Asian countries traditional folk is still hugely popular. Former Soviet states, including Armenia, Georgia, and Kazakhstan, are famous for their folk musicians that can be found playing on the street, while family members playing their own instruments are more likely to be seen at gatherings than a copy of the latest Rihanna CD.

Much like when Sharp first discovered what he termed to be traditional folk music, today it is often combined with dancing, either synchronized or freestyle, also in a way associated with the culture it comes from.

The best way to define folk music today is as music that comes from one place. From the concertina and accordion in Europe to pan pipes in South America, everywhere has their own brand of folk music that can be traced back hundreds of years, with contemporary and commercial folk carving out its own unique genre.

Image Author: Heinrich Klaffs