| Alpine folk music | |
|---|---|
 Two members of the Austrian folk band Die Mayrhofner playing at a concert in 2011 | |
| Native name | Alpenländische Volksmusik |
| Stylistic origins | Traditional folk music |
| Cultural origins | Alps region |
| Typical instruments | |
Alpine folk music (German:Alpenländische Volksmusik;German'sVolksmusik means "people's music" or as a Germanic connotative translation, "folk's music"[1]) is the common umbrella designation of a number of related styles oftraditional folk music in theAlpine regions ofSlovenia,Northern Croatia,Germany,Austria,Switzerland andSouth Tyrol (Italy).
It tends to be dialect-heavy and invokes local and regional lifestyles, cultures and traditions, particularly, those of theAlpine farmers and peasants.[2]
Originally transmitted byoral tradition, the oldest historical records like the AppenzellKuhreihen byGeorg Rhau (1488–1548) date back to the 16th century.[3] Alpine folk is characterized byimprovisation andvariation, uncomplicatedmajor keymelodies and simpleharmonies.[4] Typical instruments range fromalpenhorns tohackbretts,zithers and acousticguitars, and evenviolas andharmonicas. Harmonized singing is frequent, but other pieces may requireyodeling, whileinstrumental arrangements are particularly frequent for fast dances or brass pieces.
Alpine folk continues to be performed by many local ensembles and bands throughout the European Alps and should not be confused withVolkstümliche Musik, which is largely to be found inbroadcastingmedia and on ancillarymerchandise. Since the 1970s, artists of aNeue Volksmusik genre, such asWerner Pirchner orBiermösl Blosn, attempt to combine traditional styles withjazz,folk,electronic music,rock et al. as a kind ofworld music. Popular proponents includeHubert von Goisern,Attwenger andChristine Lauterburg.