My notion is that Folk Song is a matter of context whereas a Traditional Song is a matter of definition. You can put a Traditional Song into any musical context (including folk, as does occasionally happen I believe) and it remains a Traditional Song. I'm not sure about traditional ways of performance however, because our culture doesn't have those sorts of parameters, thank God. I use a Turkish kemence / Black Sea Fiddle, not because it's Traditional to Traditional English (speaking) Song & Balladry, but because in some serendipitous moment a few years ago I discovered it to be the perfect instrument for me.

Whilst this sticks in the craw of anally retentive little fuckwits like Walkaboutsverse, I don't think anyone who cares about MUSIC is going to be too bothered by it - and if they are I might efer them back to a notion of Cultural Autism, which, although I mean it with genuine kindness, isn't something I'm exactly proud of personally.

I am proud that I was once a member of Rhombus of Doom however. There is a now a 25th Anniversary myspace page where you might enjoy the exquisite sounds we made back in the day.

http://www.myspace.com/rhombusovdooom

That's me on electric viola (and bass on Kallisti!)