folk
genresFOHK
Traditional music passed down through oral tradition within a cultural community.
Folk music is the music of the people — traditional songs, ballads, and instrumental tunes passed down orally through generations within a community or culture. Folk music predates recorded history and exists in every human society. Characteristics include simple melodies, acoustic instruments (guitar, fiddle, banjo, accordion, harmonica, flute), narrative lyrics, and communal participation. The folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s, led by artists like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Bob Dylan, brought traditional and folk-inspired music to mainstream audiences. Contemporary folk blends traditional elements with singer-songwriter craft and studio production. Folk music traditions worldwide — from Irish and Scottish fiddle tunes to American bluegrass, African griot traditions, and Indian classical music — represent humanity's oldest and most diverse musical heritage.
The folk standard "Greensleeves" has been attributed to Henry VIII, though there is no solid evidence that the king actually composed it.