I'm studying traditional folk music for my HSC viva voce, and am arguing that technology has destroyed the true concept. Traditional music was music orally transmitted that reflected the cultures of its origins. it was not notated and was simply the rearranging of past folksongs to fit a communities current context. in essence, the same song could be heard in various towns, but all have a unique sound due to the traditional and cultural implications. the introduction of technology meant that music was mass produced and easily accessible to everyone. it was recorded, therfore not orally transmitted, and it was heard by everybody, therefore sounded the same no matter where you went. traditional music was defined as unique and nationalistic, but because of technology that nationalism has been removed from music. I still think we have lots of great 'folk' scenes and artists now, but from now on I consider them to be contemporary folk.