Performance of Folk Music

[Eastgoscote]

Hello, Dave. These are the questions that I want to ask you. They are for my MPhil/PhD research.

(1) What are the pros and cons of performing folk songs in their 'original forms' (as found by Cecil Sharp, Vaughan Williams, Maud Karpeles and company, that is) and in modern arrangements?

(2) Is it OK to tinker with the words and/or tune of a folk song?

(3) What is happening to folk music now?

(4) What are the current schools of thought/opinios and practices in the performance of folk music?

(5) What about the use of harmony and /or instrumentation in folk music?

(6) Finally, what about expurgation of original texts? I believe that so-called 'political correctness' plays a part here.

Thank you very much in anticipation. Any comments will be helpful and, needless to say, greatly appreciated. I do understand that your professional commitments render it impossible for you to spend much time with correspondence.

With every good wish,
Andrew Greenhill

[Swarb]

1  the pro's would be retaining the piece as an historic doccument, the cons would be that things should move on.are you aware of "the folk process) if not you need to do some reading      A L lloyds  folk songs in england would be a good start.

2      yes its ok

3      I could tell you that in twenty years time for sure,right now it seems as if the traditional material is being forsaken for new songs  ie the folk awards never feature more than two trad songs and most times it seem only one.  it is stupid to call a modern song a folk song. Like calling reproduction furniture antique!

4 they vary widely I imagine but no one person could tell you.

5   the use of hamony is now acceptable, although taste plays a large part in deciding what chords are tasteful, the tradition is largely a melodic one, esp the irish tradition.The advent of free reed instruments and the piano accordian have influenced hugely.  are you aware of the modes? there is a school of thought that suggests thaat one should stay within them.

6   There are certain words that no longer are acceptable   non of them I would suggest are sexual. you would have to be careful that fashion and pruddery does not guide your taste. when in doubt leave well alone.

[fstix (Michael)]

it is stupid to call a modern song a folk song. Like calling reproduction furniture antique!

What about  "folk-based", then?

[Eastgoscote]

Thank you very much indeed. Your comments are helpful. I am indeed aware of the modes. I agree that they should be retained. Harmony does negate modality to a degree.

Andrew

[Swarb]

Well Micheal , folk based is what it says, its folk based, dylan, joanie, guthrie, all folk based. It isnt to be confused however with  ie  The banks of the sweet primroses aye?    

and Andrew the trouble with not stepping outside the modes for ones harmony is that you are left with nowhere to go. ie  how would you harmonise a melody in the phrygian mode with out stepping outside of it?

[Paolo]

I really thanks Andrew and Swarb for opening and discussing this topic. For instance, in my country, exotic Italy, folk rock never took off because in late '60 and then '70 both scholars and performers blamed any form of "contamination", mostly because they believed that popular culture was "authentic" and anti-capitalist in itself, while rock was shamefully capitalist. Now schools of thought are changed, but, frankly speaking, interest in folk music is dropped down, with a few southern exception and a noteworthy exception in some alpine valleys, were folk rock bands are respected like true tradition keeper and supported like pop stars, indeed.
Interestingly enough, expurgation of original texts (if ever existed an "original" texts, but I understand what we mean here) started in XVII century and got stronger in XIX century - medieval version being far, far more free and explicit, sexually and politically uncorrect (and I love it).

best

Paolo

[Swarb]

nice of you to share your thoughts with us Paolo. an interesting topic indeed.

[Steve with the black dog]

I'm so glad to hear your confirmation re political correctness, Swarb... where would we have been without the wonderful innuendo of the Bonny Black Hare or the warming of certain parts of the anatomy in Hexamshire Lass.

But I would rather have metaphors such as "I raised the flag that she unfurled" in Jethro Tull's Hunting Girl, than the explicit lyrics of some of the gangster rap music around at the moment.

[Swarb]

me too