when I asked musical traditions magazine, how they defined traditional music, I got a strange answer,plus the usual abuse from guests.
There are obviously some very old ballads that qualify,[but somebody must have composed them ] is it a question with tunes, of modes they are written in, i,m notsure.
If you google musical traditions you will find it a very infomative and interesting read,.
Although I dont agree with the editors exclusion of the folk revival, to me tradional music is a continuous stream, that has to include the Folk revival,and may in the future include present day composed songs. Dick Miles