Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Introduction to Anglo American Folk Music
A complete, undergraduate-level online course on folk music.
Library of Congress
Loc: Woody Guthrie and the Archive of American Folk Song
An archive Woody Guthrie's correspondence from 1940-50. Could provide insight into Woody's music. Contains a great biographical sketch and timeline. Also, a search aid for additional materials at the Library of Congress about him.
Other
Gateshead Council: Farne: Folk Archive Resource North East
This site is from a British project that has collected recordings of traditional Northumbrian folk music. In addition to the the music itself, you'll find plenty of information on instruments, types of folk music, composers and...
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music
If teaching a unit about the history of popular music in America, this PBS web site supporting their four-part TV broadcast of a few years ago would make a great resource. Includes lesson plans and oral histories too.
Contemplator
Folk Music of England, Scotland,ireland, Wales & America
Fine comprehensive intro to folk music of English-speaking countries. Lyrics, background and midi files make this a useful site.
Library of Congress
Loc: Lyrical Legacy: 400 Years of American Song and Poetry
Explore eighteen American songs and poems each represented by an original primary source document, along with historical background information and, in many cases, sound recordings and alternate versions.
PBS
P.o.v.: Lomax the Songhunter
Resource dedicated to Alan Lomax discussing his role in preserving folk music. Discusses the film about his life and provides activities and additional resources for educators.
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Joni Mitchell
This is an excellent resource covering the life and musical career of Joni Mitchell. Be sure to check out the interactive timeline.
PBS
Pbs: Archives of the West: Songs of the Plains a Selection of Cowboy Folk Songs
Explore the lyrics of five cowboy songs from 1860's and 1870's.
Contemplator
Popular Songs in American History: Ben Bolt: 19th Century Folk Song
This site contains the lyrics to a popular nineteenth century folk song. A MIDI file of the song is also available to download.
Broward Education Foundation
Broward Education Foundation: Creative Canjos [Pdf]
Creative Canjos is an interdisciplinary unit that teaches American History through Folk Art and Folk Music. The students began the project in Art class. They were introduced to American Folk Art through a teacher made iMovie. The iMovie...
University of Pittsburgh
Center for American Music Stephen Foster's Career
This University of Pittsburgh site provides a wealth of information about American songwriter Stephen Foster. This link discusses his professional career with various other links within the text about minstrel shows, etc. Return to the...
Library of Congress
Loc: Southern Mosaic
This site, from the Library of Congress, provides a recording project by the WPA during the Depression Era of folk music collected throughout the southern states of the U.S. Supplemented by photos and other material to document life...
PBS
Pbs: Sweet Old Song (The Music of Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong)
Learn about and listen to jazz, blues, folk, and country musician Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong and his roots in America's musical past. "Sweet Old Song" tells the story of the music and art partnership between Armstrong and his...
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Bob Dylan
The companion website of a film documentary directed by Martin Scorsese about the life and music of Bob Dylan. Understand Dylan's career and the impact of his music on the politics of the time, his influences, and his many musical...
Library of Congress
Loc: Hispano Music & Culture of the Northern Rio Grande
Collection of online resources on the Hispanic arts and culture of the Southwestern United States. Exhibits include essays, audio files, and links to related sites.
Library of Congress
Loc: Fiddle Tunes of the Old Frontier
At this site from the Library of Congress, you can listen to an 82-year-old Virginia fiddler, Henry Reed, playing tunes recorded in the 1960's. Many of the tunes have been transcribed and the notation can be viewed on line as well. The...
Contemplator
The Contemplator's: I've Been Working on the Railroad
This site offers complete lyrics with a bit of history on this American folk song.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Influence of Folk
This site, which explores the influence of musical folk traditions in the poetry of Langston Hughes and Nicolas Guillen, provides lesson plans, a biography, examples of Hughes' poetry, and details about his meeting with Nicolas Guillen.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Langston Hughes
This resource focuses on the works of famous African-American author, Langston Hughes.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Stephen Foster
A website that accompanies a film on Stephen Foster. Students can listen to the famous songs, view a timeline of his life, and find information about Foster's contemporaries.
Aaron Shepherd
Aaron's Storybook: Folktales
Many folktale resources are offered here. Texts of stories, "extras" including music and audio files, posters and background information can be found for some stories.
Curated OER
John Henry Statue
Exploring the icons of American culture, NPR presents a piece on John Henry, railroad worker of the late 1800s whose "Tale has become the stuff of myth." See the art inspired by this "Steel-drivin' man," and hear "John Henry," the...
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