Folk Music, Its "Etymology" and Its Uses

[Britt]

I have been contemplating folk music quite a bit lately. Does anyone know of a resource that shows the histories of various folk music traditions and provides audio examples or a list of popular tunes from many countries? I have been thinking about writing a folk music fantasy, but kind of like a historical merging of a few cultures. This is all (I think) because of Ralph Vaughn Williams' "Fantasy on Greensleves". Well I'd very much appreciate any help, thanks!

[H. A.]

I don't think I know of any particular source where you can get a good variety of various folk music traditions with audio examples. But as long as you are willing to do the research for authentic sources I'm sure you will uncover whatever you are looking for (whatever styles you are looking for). I'm sure you might find information if you for instance google "folk music of xyz folk music". You might come across some pages with audio examples as well.


For me, much of my music is build of cultural/folk music aspects and traditions. Sometimes I am weary of composers who use cultural/folk influences for composition materials as in many cases the cultural understanding or respect is treated with disregard and many times you end up with a false stereotype of cultural representation in music that can come across as disrespectful. There are a few thoughts I always philosophize over when using my culture/folk music as composition materials.
1) If there are any sacred symbolisms attached to the materials or philosophies I'm using from my culture or any other particular culture, how do I use these materials effectively and in a forward and creative manner without showing disregard and disrespect to the culture (including false representations).
2) Avoid cheap pastiche music that comes across as stereotypical "world-music" (again including false representations)
3) Always do research for an for an authentic understanding.

[Britt]

I'll try that (I already have a little, but I was hoping someone would know an all encompassing source so I could view them side by side).

I was intending to focus mainly on European folk music, not because I prefer it or anything, because I don't have a good way (that I am aware of) to realize alternate tunings other than equal tempered on my computer.
So If you know of a resource that is all encompassing on European folk music, then that would work as well.

[H. A.]

Well no harm if you did have a stronger preference to European folk music. Personal preference and taste is just that :).

Whether European folk music or whatever, I still believe a proper and respectable approach to the handling of materials should be considered. I had come across some sites of European folk music in the past with audio samples and notation samples as well. I'll go back and see if I can dig them up for you.

[Britt]

Ok Thanks!

[H. A.]

Here is a link I came across to get you started.
http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?genre=traditional+folk
I'm sure there are other great sites out there. Just search and search search.

If I come across anything else I'll let you know. But it shouldn't be to hard to start bumping into other sites once you start looking.

[Patrik Ohlsson]

If you're interested in Scandinavian folkmusic there is a swedish website with sheet music and audioclips of thousands of old fiddlers and folkmusicians. Don't know it by the top of my head but if you're interested I could check it out. There's alot of etymology in scandinavian folkmusic, that's for sure.