folksinger
Traditional song performer
A folksinger is a performer of folk music—traditional songs passed down through generations or contemporary songs written in that style.
The term often carries associations with acoustic instruments, particularly guitar, and with social or political consciousness: She started as a folksinger in Greenwich Village coffeehouses.
Also spelled folk singer.
Disconnected from power
- strummingSweeping across guitar strings
- fingerpickingPlucking strings by hand
- guitarFretted stringed instrument
- banjoFretted drum-stringed instrument
harmonica · autoharp · dulcimer · coffeehouse · hootenanny · campfire · unamplified · intimate
Account of events
- taleSpoken or written narrative
- balladNarrative poem or song
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- mythTraditional explanatory tale
fable · yarn · saga · chronicle · parable · anecdote · raconteur · verse
Narrative poem or song
- narrativeAccount of events
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- oralOf the mouth
Appalachian · Celtic · Americana · bluegrass · old-time · sea shanty · murder ballad · modal
Medieval Provençal lyric poet
- bardPoet of epics
- vocalistOne who sings professionally
- buskerPublic-space entertainer seeking donations
- guitaristOne who plays six strings
entertainer · storyteller · lyricist · serenader · griot · chanteuse · crooner · fiddler
Direct effort for reform
- solidarityUnity among allies
- anthemOfficial song of praise
- movementChange in position
- justiceFair treatment under law
equality · freedom · rights · liberation · union · grassroots · civil disobedience · rally
unplugged
Disconnected from power
- strummingSweeping across guitar strings
- fingerpickingPlucking strings by hand
- guitarFretted stringed instrument
banjo · harmonica · autoharp · dulcimer · coffeehouse · hootenanny · campfire · unamplified · intimate · live
narrative
Account of events
myth · fable · yarn · saga · chronicle · parable · anecdote · raconteur · verse · lyrics
ballad
Narrative poem or song
- narrativeAccount of events
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
oral · Appalachian · Celtic · Americana · bluegrass · old-time · sea shanty · murder ballad · modal · pentatonic
troubadour
Medieval Provençal lyric poet
- bardPoet of epics
- vocalistOne who sings professionally
- buskerPublic-space entertainer seeking donations
guitarist · entertainer · storyteller · lyricist · serenader · griot · chanteuse · crooner · fiddler · banjoist
activism
Direct effort for reform
- solidarityUnity among allies
- anthemOfficial song of praise
- movementChange in position
justice · equality · freedom · rights · liberation · union · grassroots · civil disobedience · rally · march
folksingerrock star
Famous touring musician
pop star · punk rocker · DJ · glam rocker · rapper
folksingersellout
Compromiser of integrity
industry plant · teen idol · karaoke singer · session musician