The term American folk music encompasses numerous music genres, variously known as traditional music, traditional folk music, contemporary folk music, vernacular music, or roots music.

The Smithsonian's collections and archives are a rich source of information on American folk music and its many genres. Smithsonian Folkways is home to a significant collection of folk music recordings with a storied history as a participant in documenting and …

Classic Folk Music in this playlist of American Folk music's greatest hits and songwriters, including Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, Elizabeth Cotten...

2018年4月25日 · From the onset of American history, folk music has shown up at times when the people needed it most. The earliest folk songs rose from slave fields as spirituals such as “Down by the Riverside” and “We Shall Overcome.”

2024年1月15日 · I researched about how Folk music diffused into America from European cultures which heavily inspired the early sounds of Traditional American Folk. Along with influences from Africa as many slaves were brought over to the country adding more styles to already existing European melodies.

Explore a selection of articles, blog posts, and artist biographies shared by Smithsonian museums, cultural centers, and research centers on the topic of American folk music.

2025年1月14日 · folk music, type of traditional and generally rural music that originally was passed down through families and other small social groups. Typically, folk music, like folk literature, lives in oral tradition; it is learned through hearing rather than reading.

The great folksong revival of the 1940s through 1960s made rural white and African American artists and their music favorites of audiences everywhere.

The Smithsonian's collections and archives are a rich source of information on American folk music and its many genres. Smithsonian Folkways is home to a significant collection of folk music recordings with a storied history as a participant in documenting and …

2024年12月23日 · American folk music is a genre that's as diverse and rich as the country itself. It's a blend of traditions, cultures, and stories that have been passed down through generations. From the early settlers to the modern-day musicians, folk music has evolved in fascinating ways.