Folk music as a musical genre encompasses traditional folk music and the contemporary music that evolved during the folk song revival of the 20th century. Many types of folk music might be called world music. Traditional folk music has various definitions, and many experts believe that it is a musical form that is driven by a society's specific cultural or national identity and has been passed down from generation to generation.
"Folk music is not only a long-standing melody, it often includes national stories and expresses people's emotions and history."
From the 19th to the mid-20th century, folk music continued to evolve, especially in the United States and Britain, which experienced a period known as the (Second) Folk Revival. This process gave rise to many new forms of popular music, such as contemporary folk songs or folk revival music. During this time, some musical genres, such as fusion music such as folk rock and folk metal, also began to gain attention. In the well-known popular music, the influence of these folk music is self-evident, especially in the creation and performance of musicians.
Traditional folk music shares some common characteristics, such as that it is usually passed down orally and is often associated with a specific culture. Singing and playing instruments are an integral part of community gatherings, serving as both entertainment and history tellers. The melodies and lyrics of these folk musics change over time but still maintain a connection to their source.
"Traditional folk music is a reflection of people's life experiences. It is like a mirror, reflecting social changes and cultural evolution."
During the revival movement of the 1960s, musicians such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez successfully combined contemporary folk songs with pop music. It profoundly reveals political and social issues and resonates with generations of young people. This is not only a change in music style, but also promotes attention to social issues.
"The charm of folk music lies in its storytelling, which cannot be found in similar depth in modern commercial music."
With the exchange and integration of different cultures, elements of folk music are becoming more and more common in popular music. Many contemporary pop musicians have begun to explore the melodic structure and story themes of folk music, giving their works more cultural depth. In the process, different musical forms influenced each other, evolving new styles such as folk rock and indie pop.
"Through this fusion, contemporary pop music is not just a collection of melodies, but a true expression of emotion."
The narrative and historical stories in folk music provide a wealth of material that allows today's musicians to create music that is responsive to society. In today's multicultural world, music creation is no longer limited by geographical and cultural boundaries. Instead, it is the pursuit of resonance. The blending of different styles makes music creation richer and more diverse.
"Although musical styles may vary within popular music, the shared pursuit of authenticity and emotional expression has contributed to folk music's continued influence."
The history of folk music not only shapes the diversity of today's music, but also provides unlimited inspiration and possibilities for our music creation. When we listen to contemporary music, we might as well pay attention to the folk stories and cultural roots hidden behind the melody, and how they quietly change our understanding of music. However, behind such changes, how should we view the role of cultural identity in music creation?