Interpreting the definition of folk music

Jesus

            As a folk performer, my interpretation to what folk music is can come in many different ways. However, I would really want to share what really sticks out to me, to try and define what folk music really is, since there is no official definition of folk music. Folk music is for the people and their hearts, from people who express themselves of happiness, sufferings, love and story telling. If I may, I want to share what I have on my personal statement essay. “It is my pride being born in the most humble, away from the hustle and false company. I'm one of the people that have no falsification. My destiny is very even; I want it as it comes. Supporting a sadness or behind an illusion. I walk through life very happy with my poverty because I have no money, but I have much heart. Unlucky in love, I'm a troubadour, but few millionaires want to live my life to sing to poverty feeling no pain. That's why it is my pride to be from a humble neighborhood”.  Like I said, there are many different interpretations in trying to define what folk music is. However, myself as a performer, this is what really sticks out to me. Thus, Bela Bartok states that folk music is simply peasant music. I disagree with that in an extent. Yes folk music mainly comes from the lower class back in the days, but anyone can listen to folk music and have the same feelings as a rich wealthy person and a low class person. It’s about understanding the message of the song. Music does not have a preference to people. Its people who judge music simply because of what instruments are being played or the style they sing it on. For example, if you click on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8UDNIyg3sw you will hear Mexico’s most known mariachi in the world playing folk music with an orchestra. I sincerely hope you enjoy it.  This applies to simple vs. complex music, including changing through communal re-creation vs. unchanging over time music. Jose Pepe Martinez (director of Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan) has composed simple and complex pieces in mariachi music, and still considered folk songs. At times, Pepe Martinez recreates the songs and ties them as a potpourri of different artist. Therefore, my interpretation to folk music is similar to Nettle’s categories. Thus, what would it be if folk players tried to play classical music? Would they be discriminated just because they are not of that class? Listen to this, and then rethink how people of a high class would take this in as classical music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5oqpPiqB4I .I know this is not a full orchestra, but it satisfies the people who appreciate all types of music. However, things that I do not really agree with and could be improved, is that it does not matter if you are a professional or not for your music to be considered folk or not. Like I mentioned before, a common person and a wealthy person can play folk music. It’s if one understands the music and lyrics of the song. Many people can interpret different things as you know, but one thing Nettle probably forgot to mention is the definition of folk in general. Yes folk is traditional and mostly pleasantly simple, but folk music was never intended to be performed on stage. People just respected these deep meaning of songs, that the message just has to get heard.  This is my interpretation to define folk music. I will repeat myself, there are many interpretations, but the one that I shared comes from my heart. I am a troubadour.