Possible Definition of Folk Rock, a few thoughts

[kendixon]

Sometimes trying to explain just exactly how certain genres of music
makes them different from other genres can be more difficult then we might
first assume.. Its always easier to hear the sound and the differences
then try and explain them.At first it might be hard to seperate folk rock
from what Ill call its older brother folk. I believe though that folk rock
is as distinct, definable and an important genre of popular music in its
own right and easily different and maybe even as important as its brother
esp in
the history of popular music. Though , I think its fairly easy to pinpoint
in a round a bout time frame when folk rock evolved the whens,whos and hows
is not the subject or intent of this message. Though its hard to mentioned
folk rock without a few of the obvious pioneers my feeble attempt here is
to try and get a feel of what makes it a genre in its own right. I think
it would be maybe unfair and wrong to simply conclude folk rock is simply
ONLY folk music electrified. Of course adding electronics to folk music is
definitly an important component in helping to classify folk rock its not
all there is to make the distinction complete. Instrumentation is a very
important factor if someone wanted to define folk rock. Not unlike folk
the main instrument of focus would more often be the guitar. Though folk
rock does often have an electric guitar acoustic guitars are probably
even still more at the core. The tech effects might be a little more
elaborate on that acoustic but not necessarily. Also obviously one major
component folk rock had its brother usually didnt was a more pronounced
rythum section all be it drums or whatever. There was aways more
emphasise on beat. Im not saying it was danceable or they used frills or
elaborate tempos. was the intent
but it was there. Folk rock usualy applied a typical 4, 4 time rythum.
There has never been to many keyboards in folk rock but if there was it was
more often an orgon opposed to piano . Snths would probaly make any songs
calling themselves folk rock null and void. lol You also wouldnt hear horns
or strings either in folk rock, (generally). Chord structure might be
just a lil more creative or
advanced then folk though anything other then the usual major and minor
chords might muddle the definition. Hard not to mention just how
The Beatles might have influenced that aspect of the maturation of folk
rock in that every one at the time was trying to keep up with them and be
more
creative in what ever form of pop music they were trying to create. (No im
not saying the Beatles were the best or even an example of Folk Rock though
they definitly did some mighty good folk rock. along with everything eles
they did.) Folk
music was no exception. There were all kinds of new ideas new chord
structures,added effects and instrumentation. So I would conclude that folk
rock was easily BUT NOT ALWAYS lol more creative as far as the song
structure and the production it self goes then folk. NO folk rock was not
just an american art form though maybe its roots and most of its pioneers
were from the states. Looking back at the British invasion there were all
kinds of viable easily definable GREAT examples of it. so it wasnt just an
american thing. Not unlike folk folk
Rocks primary focus would have to be the lyrics. . The lyrics or message
usuauly has more serious content often concerning
politics or social struggles or often reflecting personal struggles of one
thing or another. But not always. Harmonies have always been an important
element in folk rock though again not always mandatory. You didnt hear as
many folk rocksongs with only a single solo voice though out the song
.BUT there are exceptions ala some of dylans contributions. Folk music has
always offered great harmonies but again I believe with the influence of
The Beatles and some others at the time folk rock harmonies were even more
creative and interesting. harmonies were generaly heard well. Meaning they
rarely took a back seat to the instruments that were in the song. They were
often the main focus. Huge. Anyway ,just some thoughts Heres to
folk rock and all it contributed to popular music and my musical pleasure
through out the years