The Musical Characteristics of Folk

 Musical characteristics of Folk

Tonality 

Folk uses major and minor tonality but especially modal scales

Harmony 

 the harmonies in folk are described as simple and repetitive often using the tonic (I) and dominant (V) chords

Extensions 

 Typically in folk music there are just simple open chords however if there is an extension it uses an open string in a chord, often when played in a finger picking style

Scales 

 The most common scale used in folk is the major/minor pentatonic scales which are 5 note scales which often have major seconds and minor thirds

Riffs 

 Folk music riffs are often played on the acoustic guitar, banjo or other acoustic instruments, typically just supporting the vocals and not being the main focus

Rhythms 

 Folk rhythms can differ with regions but common patterns are 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 often with emphasis on the back beat

Melody 

 Folk music melody are often simple repeated patterns with a pentatonic scale

Instruments 

 Folk music often has string instruments such as the acoustic guitar, fiddle banjo and mandolin but there are often the use of wind instruments like flutes and whistle

Textures 

 There are 3 typical textures monophonic, homophonic and polyphonic. 

Lyrics 

Folk music lyrics often have storytelling elements, historical events and rural life themes

Instrumental Techniques  

 Folk music has a lot of percussion techniques like hitting, shaking and striking to create a beat/rhythm. Folk music contains spontaneous melodic and rhythmic variation which creates whole new melodies because folk believes the term "Freedom with form".

Important notation 

< This is notation for the intro to New York Girls by Bellowhead (Violin, Piano, Sax)

3 Subgenres of Folk

- Subgenre's of Folk include Irish folk, English folk and Folk rock.

- All 3 genres have the similarities of  there folk roots, all influenced by traditional folk with themes of storytelling and community. All 3 tend to also use traditional folk instruments such as fiddle's and accordions.  

- Irish folk is rooted in Gaelic culture, influenced by Viking, Norman and Scots traditions. Irish folk  music is described as more lively more for dancing. Irish folk has more of a focus on melody using ornamentation like rolls and slides. - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CBRQM0vErH8&list=PL7B8C8399C380B6FB&index=3&pp=iAQB8AUB

- British folk has a range of themes like romance, mining and agriculture labour. The British folk has a more “jerky” music style and it usually has a heavy first beat. British folk is more likely to have instruments like a harmonica and tenor banjo. - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2RvwoDmt8jQ&list=PLBA1XdEzwrqmBXe3ufXDqbZ4VEdFjcFTr&index=2&pp=iAQB

- Folk rock is quite different from the other 2 because it adds amplified rock instrumentation, like electric guitars, bass and drums mixed with trad folk instruments. Folk rock is most likely to be more high energy, often featuring a “jangly” guitar typically from a 12-string guitar. - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UMVjToYOjbM&list=PLGFmCvHWSwzCLNsr14Zhf1cv0OwUUDrYI&index=8&pp=iAQB8AUB

Opinions on Subgenre's 

- The subgenre I like the most is Folk rock because I like the inclusion of classic rock instruments mixed with folk instruments because it's a very interesting fusion.

Famous musicians in each subgenre 

- A famous Irish folk musician is Luke Kelly, he's known for his powerful voice and is role in his band The Dubliners. He is conspired as one of Irelands greatest folk singers. He's famous for his version of the song "Ragland Road".

- A famous British folk musician is Martin Carthy, he is an influential singer and guitarist. He influenced artists like Bob Dylan and Paul. He's famous for being a key musician in the role of British folk revival.

- A famous folk rock musician is Bob Dylan he is known for his poetic lyrics and he was an influence to the Folk rock genre as a whole, he is labelled as "one of the greatest song writers of all time". He has sold 125 million records world wide and he's one of the best selling musicians of all time.

Evolution of Folk

- Folk music began as a oral tradition passed down from communities, it tied to common people which is why it got the name "folk". Each region developed its own style which has carried through time. Folk music began to movie to cities from the rural area which made the genre fuse with other styles. People began to use different electric instruments with traditional folk instruments to create a new sound. With the new genre of Folk rock new audiences came from the rock genre gaining the genre more fans and more musicians creating folk rock music.

What Folk has in common with other styles 

- Folk has in common with other styles through its theme of story telling, simple and repetitive melodies ,the use of acoustic instruments and its evolution through oral traditions.