Folk music lacking?

Subject: RE: Folk music lacking?
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 06:12 AM

Well, OK I was just exploding the myth that black = minor.
Just insert the missing intervals as required, obviously..
But as the 2nd note is D, I would have to play it open at the mo as my little finger has been bent and I'm playing flat (don't ask).

Subject: RE: Folk music lacking?
From: Crane Driver
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 06:12 AM

Possibly what your friend means is that folk music, especially trad stuff, is short on modulation - that is, when a tune in one key goes into another (often from a major key into a minor) and then returns to the original key within one musical phrase. This is certainly rarer in folk than in jazz, but it does happen, both in trad song melodies and dance tunes. This may make for more harmonic variety but, like most variations, can be overdone. For my taste, much jazz and modern classical does overdo it. Sometimes simpler is best.

Andrew

Subject: RE: Folk music lacking?
From: Bernard
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 06:10 AM

What I find I don't like about Jazz is the 'busy' chord structure which detracts from the melody... each to their own!!

To me, jazz tends to involve people competing to see who can disguise the tune the most - and all at the same time...!

;o)

Many trad folk songs/tunes started to evolve at a time when 'keys' as we understand them had not become set in stone, which means they are 'modal' (as suggested by the Countess above).

'The Wraggle Taggle Gypsies' is a good example of a modal tune that sounds minor...

Subject: RE: Folk music lacking?
From: GUEST,GordonT
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 06:04 AM

Unfortunately you were advised by someone of profound musical ignorance - which the thread seems to be adding to in all kinds of ingenious ways!
A lot of traditional music works differently from traditional harmony,its true,some of it drone-based (so the harmony wont move around much in that case).I'm sure most people here know that,yes a minor scale is based on intervals,and the crucial one is the minor third.

Subject: RE: Folk music lacking?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 06:04 AM

Lyke Wake Dirge is in a minor key too

Subject: RE: Folk music lacking?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 05:55 AM

" . . though C# major consists entirely of 'black notes'"

what note is the third of the scale then? Or the seventh?

A scale consisting only of black notes is pentatonic by definition, if only 'cause there are only five before they start repeating....

Subject: RE: Folk music lacking?
From: GUEST,Padraig
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 05:54 AM

Many Irish laments are embellished with the use of minor tones 'Glory-oh, glory-oh to the bold Fenian men', 'Revenge for Skibbereen'. Even within hornpipes and reels one can hear minor keys. I like all kinds of musical genre but I think that the reason for "Folk Music (being) a bit lacking in harmonic variety -- generally no minor keys" is due to poor musicianship.

I love adding minors where appropriate (no need to over do it) but my instrument (small accordion)is limited to major bass notes. But I hold the bass fundamental when playing the minor melody and there is no conflict in tonality.

My twopence worth

Regards
Padraig
Ireland

Subject: RE: Folk music lacking?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 05:52 AM

Folk songs in minor keys, off the top of my head, dandruff and all:

Blacksmith
Scarborough Fair
This pub's not the same any more (J. Taylor)
Parcel of Rogues

no, your friend has it wrong, I think, Keith. I suspect that he simply hasn't listened to enough different folk styles and his comparison has a limited basis therefore.

Subject: RE: Folk music lacking?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 05:46 AM

Is he right?

Nope.

Subject: RE: Folk music lacking?
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 05:29 AM

. . . though C# major consists entirely of 'black notes'.
It's not 'black notes' that make a scale 'minor'.
A minor uses none.
It's the intervals that matter, which in a minor scale are: tone semitone tone tone semitone tone tone.
Modal scales are something else, but I haven't got all day . . .

Subject: RE: Folk music lacking?
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 05:12 AM

Is he right? Not entirely. Depends upon whether you're referring to Trad folk (finger in the ear, socks with sandels, tankard on belt etc) or contemporary acoustic (and otherwise) songs etc. I'm sure actually there are some trad songs in/with 'minor key's' (black notes) but it's early and i haven't had my breakfast yet, can't think of any off hand. Someone will, that's the nature of this site. Someone always knows. Enos(everything!)

sal

Subject: RE: Folk music lacking?
From: Bagpuss
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 05:09 AM

Generally no minor keys? Eh?

Subject: Folk music lacking?
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 04:57 AM

I love folk song but have no musical knowledge.
A good friend of mine said this.
"If you will allow me to say such a thing, I find Folk Music a bit lacking in harmonic variety -- generally no minor keys. Hence my attraction to Jazz. But I welcome the richness of current music idioms of all types, and the way styles have crossed over. "
Is he right?