Common Features of Traditional Folk Music Traditional folk music represents a particular community and deals with common themes and concerns of that community. Folk songs often offer a glimpse into the lives of the members of the community they originate from. The instruments used are those that are readily available, such as guitars and violins, in the community. Folk music was originally passed on by oral means, rather than written notation. For instance, a person might sing a childhood song learned from a parent or grandparent.
Most folk songs change over the years.
This may be caused by memory lapses of the performers, different musical style and tastes, use of various instruments, etc. A folk song must be popular and widely performed in order to be passed on. Folk music is often associated with other activities in life such as work, religion, love, daily life, or tragedy. You need Acrobat Reader to view it properly.