folk music
what it is
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century but is often applied to music that is older than that. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers.
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questions
What is folk music?
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century but is often applied to music that is older than that. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers.
What are good folk music albums to start with?
Try Any Day Now by Joan Baez, Swingin' Utters by Swingin' Utters, Pest & Power by Patty Gurdy, and The Ballad of Wallis Island (Original Soundtrack) by Tom Basden.
Who are some women making folk music?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/folk-music/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making folk music, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20