The term folk song is explained as follows:

Folk song is a form of Chinese folk music originating from rural areas. It is an art form that expresses people's lives, emotions and thoughts in the form of simple songs. Through simple melodies and sincere lyrics, folk songs convey culture and values ??passed down from generation to generation.

1. The Origin and Development of Folk Songs

Folk songs originated from ancient Chinese farming society and were first spread in rural areas of the Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Basin. Over time, folk songs gradually formed multiple branches and styles in different regions. After a long period of oral inheritance, it has gradually become a folk music form with unique regional characteristics.

2. Characteristics and style of folk songs

Simple melody: The melody of folk songs is usually simple and easy to learn and is easily sung by the masses. Sincere lyrics: The lyrics of folk songs directly express the lives, emotions and thoughts of farmers, and are full of simplicity and authenticity. Diverse rhythms: Folk songs from different regions have their own unique rhythms and rhymes, reflecting the local music and cultural characteristics. Group singing: Folk songs are usually sung by the masses to strengthen community cohesion and cultural inheritance.

3. Content of folk songs

Life scenes: Folk songs describe the life scenes of farmers, such as farming, harvesting, weddings, etc. Emotional expression: Folk songs express rich emotions such as love, friendship, and family relationships through lyrics. Social thinking: Folk songs also carry people's thinking about social phenomena and values, such as labor, fairness, tolerance, etc. Current Affairs Commentary: In some special historical periods, folk songs were also used to express people’s views and voices on political phenomena and power.

4. The popularity and inheritance of folk songs

Oral tradition: Folk songs have been passed down orally for a long time, and farmers from generation to generation teach them to their descendants, forming a long tradition. Recording and Release: As technology advanced, folk songs began to be recorded and released, making them more widely available in cities and other areas. Stage performance: Folk songs have also gradually moved to the stage and become an art form with a performance nature, participating in various cultural activities and competitions.

5. Regional characteristics of folk songs

Folk songs in the Yangtze River Basin: Folk songs in places such as Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi and other places are famous for their high-pitched melodies and passionate lyrics. Folk songs in the Yellow River Basin: Folk songs in Henan, Shaanxi, Shandong and other places are more diverse, with lyrical and restrained melodies. Southwest folk songs: Folk songs from Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan and other places are mostly famous for their bright rhythm and rich charm.

6. The influence of folk songs in modern society

As a form of traditional Chinese music, folk songs still have important significance and influence in contemporary society: Protection and inheritance: folk songs as a Chinese rural A part of culture that needs to be protected and passed down to maintain its unique value.