民间音乐这个术语广泛地应用在欧洲、美洲、印度和某些其他亚洲文化中,是指乡村音乐、农民音乐或者由口头传承的音乐。在世界另外一些地区,例如非洲或太平洋岛屿,这个术语却很少使用。民间音乐的特点是和人们的工作、游戏、各种仪式和娱乐等日常生活活动直接联系在一起。从前,古代的民歌手运用民歌传送信息,或者记录一个家族或民旗的历史。今天,广播和电视在很大程度上已经代替了传统民歌手的角色,每天向城镇,同时也向农村广播各种各样的音乐。这种情况混淆 The term folk music, widely used in Europe, the Americas, India, and some other Asian cultures, refers to country music, peasant music, or music that is passed on verbally. In other parts of the world, such as Africa or the Pacific islands, the term is seldom used. Folk music is characterized by its direct connection with people’s daily activities such as work, games, rituals and entertainment. In the past, ancient folk singers used folk songs to send messages or record the history of a family or national flag. Today, radio and television have largely replaced the role of traditional folk singers, broadcasting a wide range of music daily to towns and villages as well as to the countryside. This situation is confusing