Origins

• American folk music developed from the many types of music that early Americans brought with them to the New World. The style has distinct roots in British and Irish folk traditions.
  
  

Musical Style

• Musical hallmarks of early American folk include simple repeated chord structures, dominant vocal melodies and occasionally repeated choruses. Lyrically there is an emphasis on social and civil issues, as well as the exploration of interpersonal relationships and troubles.
  
  

Instruments

• Early American folk musicians used instruments such as six- and 12-string guitars, resonator guitars, mandolins, banjos and dulcimers.
  
  

Popular Performers

• Important performers of early American folk music include Leadbelly, Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie. Bob Dylan achieved great success playing music in the style of the early folk masters.
  
  

Anthology of American Folk Music

• In 1952, American folk enthusiast Harry Smith released the "Anthology of American Folk Music." This is an important historical document that collected folk songs originally recorded between 1926 and 1932.
  
  

Influence

• The early folk music of America produced a variety of musical offspring, including blues, R&B and rock, which in turn influenced modern hip-hop. There have also been several roots music revivals, which included bands that played in a style that very closely mirrored early American folk.