One of the defining characteristics of many great civilizations is the telling of stories through the art of folk music. The songs crafted by folk musicians serve as a snapshot of their experiences as they lived through many important moments throughout time. These songs, and the traditions associated with them, create a rich tapestry that makes understanding the great importance of folk music all the more important.

Preserve History

Though many a bombastic songwriter has written a song that attempts to rewrite the narrative in their favor, there’s still much to learn about history from folk music. Throughout history, we’ve used music to tell the stories of our people. Because the music and lyrics are often simple, children learn the songs at a young age. This has even made it possible for songs to outlive the cultures that created them.

Remember Your Past

Folk music also offers a gateway to our own past. In American history, folk music played an important role in many counterculture and protest movements. For older adults suffering from memory loss, the folk songs of their youth can be used to jog memories and improve their quality of life.

Connects People

Music is about connecting people in every sense. Folk tunes create a bridge between people that otherwise might not exist. It helps establish connections between generations and to others within our community, bringing them together with a shared history and purpose. The struggles faced and overcome by one person in your history can serve as inspiration and motivation for those that follow.

Lessons and Messages

One of the keys to understanding the great importance of folk music is knowing many of the stories told in the lyrics are crafted to serve as a metaphor. We use music to help teach the values, norms, and ideals of our culture, so it would only make sense that not everything from the song should be taken as fact. There are also cases throughout history where folk songs were used to hide messages. Some of the songs sung by slaves provided clues for reaching freedom in the North, for instance.

These are just a few of the reasons why folk music continues to be so important within our society. At Yandas Music, we value and appreciate the long, storied history of folk music and recognize the impact it has had within our culture. We proudly offer many high-quality folk instruments for sale, with many options available for beginners and experts alike.