Folk music originated from many cultures around the world. Each culture adopted rhythms and beats from family and cultural rituals. The family of string instruments applied the music with common harmonies. Other variations of instruments, from homemade to daily items were used in addition to create a more original beat. The region of Great Britain, or the Celtic race inspired many of today's top beats in folk music ( Gusikoff 119). The music originated among the common people of a nation passing it down orally, often changing for artist's personal design. The meaning of folk in a musical term describes the common, but original creation intended for personal enjoyment ( Dictionary.com).
The native music of three different divisions of the American population originated Folk music from the seventeenth century until the early twentieth century in the Northeast. The Native Americans, who were the first inhabitants on the Americas, performed and enjoyed tribal chants. They used song and dance, which reflected their culture and mythology, in many common rituals and festivals. The rhythms and beats, which were 2/4 and 4/4, were easy and repetitive. The melody, didn't rely on much of a melody, but consisted more of a simple chanting. For example, this Iroquois verse is a typical Native American song that is sung to the accompaniment of rattles and drums .
( Gusikoff 119).
The deer is taking away the daylight.
After taking away the daylight.
He named it darkness.
"Afro-Americans came to the Americas from western Africa beginning in 1619" (qtd. Gusikoff 119). Although many of them lived their long struggling lives as slaves, their music influenced many across the country. Such as the Native Americans, the Afro-Americans descended form tribal people, who incorporated singing and dance into their daily activities. "Their songs were especially rhythmic and intricately patterned, as seen in this following response of the primitive African song ( Gusikoff 119).