Damien, I'm sure other people will disagree with me, so I'll send this
to the cittern list! (also: the 'crwth' is a bowed instrument, not plucked)
Damien Delgrossi wrote:
I am suprised to read you saying that UK doesn't have plucked
instruments traditions. What about banjos? and pictures showing
popular mandolin played by folk performers long long time ago? Are
you sure of what you said?
Stuart wrote:
I think so. In the 1950s, some folk singers used pianos as
accompaniment! The guitar - as an accompaniment to folk songs - is
from the 1960s. The traditional folk songs collected from the 19th
century were all sung unaccompanied. The only genuine folk string
instrument (apart from fiddles) is the hammered dulcimer.
Banjos, guitars and mandolins have been around in Britain since the
late 19th century. But not playing traditional folk music. They
played popular tunes and popular 'folk' tunes (only a distant
relation to traditional folk music) and bits of classical music.
Nowadays, many folk players players play modern citterns, flat-backed
bouzoukis, mandolins and mandolas etc. But this is all from the 1960s
and 1970s.
There are no plucked instruments in traditional Irish music either
(before the last few decades).
Stuart
Good morning Stuart,
It is very interesting what you wrote. I understand well the difference
you do between folk popular tune and traditional music. People often
don't do the same and think that popular tune are always traditional.
You're right when you say that is not.
So the only plucked instrument traditional is the medieval crwth from
Wales in the 9th century?
Regards,
Damien
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