Folk songs invariably grew out of peoples' real lives and experiences. They looked at what was happening around them that which was simple in everyday life. They wrote about what gave them joy and about their personal struggles.

Later, singers such as Bob Dylan, wrote more about political subjects and social observations, along with what-ever mattered to them most.

To write a good folk song the writer needs to concentrate on what to them is real and that which they feel passionate about. The song can be a celebration of life or a tale of sorrow and woe.

Folksongs are often a vehicle for change containing messages of protest or a voice with which to highlight social issues.

When writing a song bear in mind, not only the lyrical content, but the type of instruments that you imagine will be played to accompany the song itself.

Traditionally acoustic stringed instruments were used. Nowadays you can use more progressive sounding electrical instruments to add a modern edge, or simply stick to bluegrass roots with the fiddle, banjo, guitar and mandolin and bass to sing along with.

If you want your folk song to be traditional then you may want to include vocal harmonies featuring two, three or four parts.

To make a song memorable it usually has a repetitive chorus and perhaps a musical interlude in-between the verses.

As with writing anything, try to stick with what you know when deciding on lyrics and enjoy what you are doing and this is sure to come through into your song.

Many writers have used their poetry to adapt into folk songs as poetry often tells a tale with feelings attached, which is similar to most folk songs. You may like to begin this way and add a tune and melody after the words have been created.

Other writers do this the other way around and find inspiration in a melody that has already been written. If this is the case with you then you can strum a guitar and play around with chords, if you have a guitar, or simply hum a tune out loud until you feel that the song has begun and given you a basis from which to write.

Learn more about this author, Bridget Webber.
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