Folk art is original, multifaceted and by its nature is intimately connected with the musical beginning. Hence the incredible diversity and diversity of forms in which the genres of musical folklore are expressed.
What is folklore?
Folklore is called folk art. This is music, poetry, theater, dance, which were created by the people and are closely related to traditions, religious beliefs, rites, customs and history.
The word "folklore" itself has English roots and translates as "folk wisdom." By its nature, folklore is diverse and includes fairy tales, legends, legends, myths, proverbs, sayings, conspiracies, signs, various methods of fortune telling, all kinds of rites, dances and much more. Surprisingly, rhymes, counters and anecdotes are also considered to be folklore. And the genres of musical folklore are only one part of folk art.
Is it a genre?
We have already mentioned (in connection with the concept of folklore) the word "genre" several times, but what is meant by it? Genre is a type of work characterized by certain features of form and content. Each genre has its own purpose, mode of existence (for example, oral or written) and performance (singing, recitation, theatrical production, etc.). The following genres can be cited as an example: symphony, song, ballad, novel, story, novel, etc.
What is called musical folklore?
Before analyzing the genres of musical folklore, it is necessary to understand what relates to musical folk art.
Musical folklore - this is the creativity of the people, which is expressed in vocal, instrumental or vocal-instrumental form. Usually exists only verbally and is transmitted from one artist to another. Folklore owes its long preservation in the people to gifted and talented performers, who are called differently by different peoples: guslars, minstrels, ashugs, spiers, kobzars, etc.
So, what are the genres of musical folklore? To begin with, we say that all genres of folklore related to music can be divided into three main literary kinds: epic (a description of any events related to history), drama (the main place in the work takes action) and lyrics (the narrative is based on feelings )
Also, folklore genres are divided according to the type of performance: solo (one-voice), ensemble, choral and orchestral.
The variety of musical folklore
It is impossible to list all the existing genres of musical folklore, since their diversity is too great. This is due to the fact that the emergence of a new type of dance, song or story is already considered a separate genre, for example, a lullaby, round dance, ditty, freckle, epic, carol, etc.
The main reason for this diversity of folk music is considered to be its direct connection with the life of people. The whole labor, religious and family life of the people is accompanied by their songs, dances and music. Therefore, the question “what genres of musical folklore exist” does not have a definitive answer. Life develops, art develops. The clearest example of this connection is the emergence of the proletarian genre of a working song.
Before that, we considered folklore in general, now let's talk about Russian musical art. The song dominates here, but due to its great diversity it is divided into several types, each of which is independently included in the genres of musical folklore. The list of types of Russian songs is quite impressive, but conditionally it can be divided into thematic areas.
Calendar and ritual songs
Calendar-ritual folklore is one of the most ancient genres. And this is due to the fact that people's life has always been connected with nature, so it had to be appeased. So there were many holidays of fertility. At these festivities ceremonies were held, accompanied by dances and songs. The main idea of such rituals is to improve the welfare of the peasants.
The genres of Russian musical folklore include songs performed during fortune-telling. Most often they guessed exactly at the Christmas time, which began on December 25 and ended on January 6. The songs sounded these days were called obscure and were performed by lot. It was believed that their text in metaphorical form predicts the future. Here is a fragment of one of these songs:
"How is a man from Novgorod
That man has a beard shaved;
He is neither a rogue nor a thief, behind an ax;
And to whom he comes, he will rip off his head.
Whoever succeeds will come true;
And who will come true, do not wait a minute. Glory!"
What are the genres of musical folklore related to this type yet? Also included in the calendar-ritual songs are songs sounded at weddings, funerals, christenings, during childbirth. Here you can name the recruit songs that were performed when the men were escorted to the war.
The most interesting are wedding ceremonies and related songs. They are divided into three stages, which can last from several weeks to months. The wedding ceremony begins with the matchmaking (the matchmakers come to the bride’s parents and ask her hands), then there is a conspiracy (the final agreement of the young parents for the ceremony) and everything ends directly with the wedding. All these stages were accompanied by songs reflecting an event and explaining the effect of rituals.
Labor and work songs
So, what are the genres of musical folklore other than those named? As mentioned above, in folklore reflected the whole life of the people, including labor. Often such songs served to maintain a certain working rhythm, synchronize actions. An example is the well-known “Dubinushka”, which was performed by the haulers during work: “I-eh-ma, brothers, it's really hot! Eh! Nobody pity us! Oh, cudgel, Wow! ”
As for the workers, these songs are a continuation of the tradition of labor folklore, but owe their formation and development to the Russian proletariat.
The genres of Russian musical folklore are closely related to the history of the country and the life of its people. Therefore, when the first mining plants in the Urals appeared in the 18th century, the first labor songs began to appear. Most of the prisoners worked there, so their folklore is largely prison and hard labor and is devoted to the lawlessness of workers, the lawlessness and injustice of the authorities, and inhumanly hard work. However, gradually discontent grew to censure the state system itself. And by the end of the 19th century, revolutionary themes began to sound distinctly in them, and by the 20th the struggle against the autocracy became the basis of proletarian songs.
However, working songs are gradually separated from folklore and become closer to literature. This phenomenon has several reasons. Firstly, the author's revolutionary songs, included in the everyday life, had a strong influence. Secondly, many proletarians began to receive education. And thirdly, the workers moved more and more away from the village. All this greatly influenced the genre of the song.
Ditties
Chastooshka is a small rhymed song consisting of 4-6 lines. It is usually executed at a fast pace and describes a single event in a person’s life. Ditties were popular both among rural residents and among the working class. The roots of this genre go back to the 18th century, but it reached its greatest popularity in the 20th century.
The subject of ditties is a reflection of life itself, the most pressing and topical problems and outstanding events. The main focus of these short songs is social, domestic or love.
Studying folklore at school
All school general education programs are designed so that children can learn the genres of musical folklore. Grade 5 begins acquaintance with the genre diversity of folk art, however, students begin to study its patterns even in elementary school.
The main emphasis in the middle school link is on the connection of literature and history, which is why epic tunes are mainly studied. In addition, students are introduced to the main song genres. At the same time, the teacher talks about the parallels and the connection of folk art and literature, about the main traditions and continuity.
Output
Thus, the genres of musical folklore, the list of which we tried to compile, are inextricably linked with the life of the people. Any change in the life of a common people or the whole country was immediately reflected in the songwriting. Therefore, it is impossible to list all the genres of folklore created throughout the entire existence of mankind. In addition, folk art continues to develop today, evolves, adapts to new conditions and lives. And he will live as long as humanity exists.