folk music
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folk music
The traditional, handed-down music of a people or a specific region, often passed on from generation to generation.
Der Forscher reiste durch abgelegene Dörfer, um die authentische Volksmusik der Region aufzunehmen.
The researcher traveled through remote villages to record the authentic folk music of the region.
popular folk music
A popular, commercial music genre in the German-speaking world that takes up elements of traditional folk music and interprets them in a modern way. To distinguish it, it is often also called 'volkstümliche Musik' (popular folk-style music).
Am Samstagabend läuft im Fernsehen wieder eine große Show mit Stars der Volksmusik.
On Saturday evening, there is another big TV show with stars of popular folk music.
The word is made up of 'Volk' (people) and 'Musik' (music), connected by an 's'. So it literally means 'music of the people.'
Jede Region hat ihre eigene Art von Volksmusik.
Every region has its own kind of folk music.
The two meanings can be distinguished well by the context. If it is about tradition, research, history, or rural regions, the original folk music is meant. If words like 'Show,' 'Fernsehen' (television), 'Stars,' or 'Hitparade' (chart show) appear, it is about the commercial music genre.
Ein Ethnologe erforscht die traditionelle Volksmusik der Alpen.
An ethnologist researches the traditional folk music of the Alps.
Commercial Volksmusik is a very popular and economically important genre in the German-speaking world. Big TV shows and concerts with Volksmusik stars reach audiences of millions, which is often surprising for learners from other cultures.
Dieser Sänger ist ein bekannter Star der Volksmusik in Deutschland und Österreich.
This singer is a well-known star of popular folk music in Germany and Austria.
folk
Both der Folk and die Volksmusik can be based on traditional musical forms. Folk usually refers to a modern genre, often using acoustic instruments and narrative songs, while Volksmusik is understood more as traditional music handed down within a region. Use „Folk“ for a modern genre and „Volksmusik“ for traditional music.
Bei dem Fest spielte eine Gruppe traditionelle Volksmusik aus der Region.
A group played traditional folk music from the region at the festival.
Die Sängerin verbindet im neuen Album Folk mit modernen, akustischen Klängen.
On her new album, the singer combines folk with modern acoustic sounds.
