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.
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.
Schlager / hit
'der Schlager' and 'die Volksmusik' both belong to the area of music and are often heard in similar shows or at similar festivals in German-speaking countries. 'Schlager' refers more to catchy pop music with simple lyrics, often about love and feelings. 'Volksmusik' is more strongly connected to tradition, regions, and typical instruments; it can mean real traditional music or modern popular folk music. The words can be confused because both often appeal to a broad audience. As a guide: Schlager sounds more like pop and a chorus; Volksmusik sounds more like tradition and region.
Im Dorf spielt am Wochenende eine Gruppe traditionelle Volksmusik.
In the village, a group is playing traditional folk music on the weekend.
Auf der Feier sangen viele Gäste den alten Schlager mit.
At the party, many guests sang along to the old Schlager song.