Surely I did post a link to the Mirriam-Webster definition of "traditional" somewhere back in the mists of time. I was pointing out that it is not synonymous with the 1954 definition.

The 1954 definition deals with "composed music" by denying that its adoption unchanged makes it "folk". Conversely its adoption and change may make it folk, since the requirement of anonymity for "folk" is a "conclusion" by Sharp, that is to say is chicken not egg.

Agnes and Julia may care to reflect on the process of adoption, and teh meaning of the expression "community" for the purposes of the 1954 definition.

However, the 1954 definition is of "folk" not of "tradition" so the idea that songs may continue to become traditional without meeting the 1954 definition would seem to be a foregone conclusion.




CS, you miss something about the use of instruments. Not one person in a thousand has your ability to stay in tune in unaccompanied singing. For most it is far easier to stay in tune (ish) with an instrument for reference.