Folk Music

music · tradition · storytelling · cultural

Passed Down Orally. Folk music isn't usually written down in books. Instead, people learn it by listening and playing it together, so it changes a little bit with each generation, kind of like a game of telephone but with melodies.

Mystery Composers. Most folk songs don't have famous composers' names attached to them. They were created by everyday people in villages and communities, so we often don't know who originally wrote or sang them.

Cultural Storytelling. Folk music tells stories about a people's history, values, and way of life. A folk song might celebrate heroes, describe daily work, or explain what matters most to a culture.

Traditional Instruments. Folk music uses instruments that regular people could make or afford, like guitars, banjos, fiddles, and drums, rather than fancy orchestra instruments.

Older Than the Name. Even though the word 'folk music' was invented in the 1800s, people have been singing and playing traditional music for thousands of years.