Chapter 40 Folk and Ethnic Music Begins on page 370

Folk Music and Ethnic Music The music of the common people of a region or nation Music identified with a particular group of people or region, but not of the common people Therefore, all folk music is ethnic music, but not all ethnic music is folk music The distinction between folk and ethnic is important, because some types of ethnic music (India, for example) are quite sophisticated and not music of the people. An interesting question to ask the students: Is Western art music (Bach, Beethoven, and others) ethnic music? Why, or why not?

Why learn about folk/ethnic music? 1. Elements of it are often found in concert music Point out to the students that they learned about the American song “Simple Gifts” in Chapter 3. Not only has that song been arranged for concert performance by Aaron Copland, the version presented in Chapter 3, it was also used by him in his ballet Appalachian Spring, which was presented in Chapter 36. Even if actual melodies are not employed in a concert work, the musical characteristics of various folk/ethnic styles have influenced many composers and their compositions.

Why learn about folk/ethnic music? 2. It reveals the attitudes and values of a culture The music of a culture is in a sense a “window” to its character. It reveals much about a people’s attitudes and beliefs. Ask the class to consider “Simple Gifts.” Does that song reveal much about the attitudes and beliefs of the Shaker people who created it?

Why learn about folk/ethnic music? 3. Today we are encountering other cultures more and more You might ask the class to think of the number of eating establishments they know about that feature food from a particular country or region. Then ask them how many have traveled outside the United States, and if there are students in the class who were not born in the United States. You could also ask them how long it takes to fly in a jet airplane from New York to London (less that 6 hours) or Seattle to Tokyo (about 10 hours going or 8 hours returning – the difference is due to prevailing winds). The point is that no longer are we isolated from the rest of the world. We live in a “global village.”

How does folk/ethnic music differ from concert music? Lacks uniformity Differs according to area or even individual A work like a sonata or symphony exists in notation and is performed as written with what most listeners would consider only subtle differences from one performance to another. On the other hand, folk music varies significantly depending on the performer, and even the same performer often does not perform the same music the same way twice.

How does folk/ethnic music differ from concert music? Creator of a piece is almost never known – and no one really cares who created it Folk music often changes over time, so that it really isn’t the work of any one person. It is passed from person to person without being aware or caring who first thought it up. Besides, in some cultures songs are supposed to be gifts from the gods, so the originator of the music does not want to claim credit for it.

How does folk/ethnic music differ from concert music? Individual performers feel free, or are expected, to make changes Performer is very important as co-creator of the music In most cultures it is expected that the performer will add his or her ideas to the piece of music. Often there is no standard version of a song. The performer is not just a re-creator of a piece of music in the case of most folk/ethnic music, as is true of works of art music. The performer of folk/ethnic music has a much more creative role than his or her counterpart in the world of concert music.

How does folk/ethnic music differ from concert music? Performers are often expected to improvise some or much of the music Improvising means making up music on the spot. However, this is done within understood guidelines for the particular type of music; the musician rarely makes up music “out of thin air.” It’s a bit like a basketball team. The players have a general idea of what they are supposed to do, but it is understood that they can make alterations to fit the situation.

How does folk/ethnic music differ from concert music? Little distinction between performers and audience Folk music is seldom performed for an audience in the sense that art music is. In many parts of the world the “audience” is part of the performance and joins in singing or dancing or clapping along.

How does folk/ethnic music differ from concert music? Often contains subtleties that can easily be missed by persons not familiar with the particular type of music People usually know only one style or type of music. When they hear music in another style, they simply miss many of the changes that people familiar with that type of music find interesting and meaningful. And vice versa, someone from Africa or the India will not perceive many of the things that Beethoven and Brahms do in their music.

How does folk/ethnic music differ from concert music? Often passed from one person to another by oral tradition Almost never preserved in notation Oral tradition is the process in which music is passed from one generation to another by people hearing and remembering what they heard. Although this process would seem tenuous, it has proved remarkably stable in many parts of the world. Only recently have scholars (ethnomusicologists) attempted to preserve much of the world’s music. Their efforts have been greatly aided by the development of tape recorders.

Music and culture All music is a product of the culture in which it is found The difference between art and folk/ethnic music lies in the importance of the cultural factors They are much more important in folk/ethnic music They are much less important in art music Folk/ethnic music should be heard with an understanding of its cultural setting. Such music rarely consists of “stand alone” pieces that can be sung or performed almost any where and any time. For example, music for a certain festival is seldom performed apart from that festival. A piece of art music may be listened to in a variety of places and times.

Summary Folk music Ethnic music Why learn about folk/ethnic music? How does folk/ethnic music differ from concert music? Music and culture Potential examination items Terms Folk music Ethnic music Improvisation Oral tradition Information Importance of knowing about folk/ethnic music How folk/ethnic music differs from art music Nature of improvisation Nature of creation of folk/ethnic music Factors to consider in listening to folk/ethnic music