What is Folk Music?
Well, this is one of those enduring questions, and actually, it’s not as easy to answer as you might think!
We asked several folk musicians and festival regulars, the answers varied quite a bit. However, the general consensus was that folk music is music shaped and passed on by ordinary people rather than created mainly for commercial performance or formal classical traditions.
Passed on orally rather than through written music
The original composer may be unknown
Songs and tunes changed gradually as they spread between communities
Learned by listening and playing rather than through formal training
Connected to everyday life, work, celebrations and local traditions
Often played on traditional or acoustic instruments
Historically, folk music was strongly connected with rural communities, workers, sailors, travellers and local social groups. Songs were passed through families, pubs, workplaces and village gatherings long before recordings existed.
Many traditional folk songs tell stories of love, work, war, travel, disasters, crime or local history. Others were written simply for dancing, celebration or communal singing.
Today’s Folk Music
Modern folk music includes both traditional songs and contemporary music inspired by those traditions.
Many modern folk artists combine old influences with rock, blues, world music or modern songwriting while still keeping the storytelling, acoustic sound and community spirit that define folk music.
At Swanage Folk Festival you’ll hear everything from centuries-old traditional songs to modern folk-rock, sea shanties, singer-songwriters and energetic dance music.
One of the joys of a folk festival is discovering how broad and varied folk music really is.
Different Styles of Folk Music
OK, we’re really going out on a limb here. This one could get the campfire discussions going for ages, but please don’t pin us down while we’re running the festival! Here’s a consensus that many will agree & disagree with!
If you thought defining folk music was hard, try categorising it so everybody agrees! Some artists sit neatly in a category, some span categories. The reality is that folk music has a wide range of styles, some you’ll love and some not so much. Here’s some categories you might find useful, which do you enjoy the most?
English Folk
Traditional English folk includes ballads, storytelling songs and dance tunes, often featuring instruments such as accordion, concertina, melodeon and fiddle.
Folk Rock
A fusion of traditional folk and rock music, folk rock combines traditional melodies and storytelling with drums, bass and electric instruments.
Contemporary Folk
Modern folk artists often blend traditional influences with rock, pop, indie and world music while still keeping an acoustic and storytelling feel.
Sea shanties
Sea shanties are traditional sailors’ working songs, often sung in call-and-response style and still popular in today’s folk scene and festivals.
American Folk
American folk music combines influences from many traditions and is often associated with acoustic guitars, banjos, harmonicas and strong storytelling songs.
Celtic Folk
Originating from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Expect lively dance tunes, powerful ballads and instruments such as fiddles, tin whistles, pipes and harps.
Appalachian Folk
Rooted in the Appalachian Mountains, it blends English, Scottish and Irish influences with dulcimers, old-time string bands and fast, percussive banjo music.