
Traditional (Folk) Song
There are no set songs for this part of the ABRSM exams but Grades 1-4 pieces must last between 1 and 2 minutes, while Grades 5-8 must last between 1 and 3 minutes.
The following genres are considered unsuitable for this section:-
hymns, carols, chants, plainsong, nursery rhymes, national anthems and stylized folk song arrangements such that they rely on instrumental accompaniment for the full musical effect to be achieved.
You may not use a song that you're are also going to use in the main (accompanied) part of the exam.
The following sources are only suggestions and you are not limited to these.
The ABRSM Songbook, Books 1-5 (each album contains twelve unaccompanied traditional songs)(ABRSM)
Best of Folk Songs: 40 British, Irish and American Songs (available in melody-only and accompanied editions: Schott ED12881 or ED12880)
Folk Songs of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales (Alfred VF1880)
Folk Voiceworks: 30 Traditional Songs (OUP)
The Language of Folk, Books 1 & 2 (Faber Music)
The Library of Folk Songs (Amsco AM 961521)
The New Penguin Book of English Folk Songs (Penguin Classics)
The New Scottish Song Book (Hardie Press HP14)
The Saltire Scottish Song Book (Hardie Press HP11)
A Selection of Collected Folk Songs, Vols 1 & 2, arr. Sharp & Vaughan Williams (Novello NOV190038 or NOV190040)
Sing Together (available in melody-only and accompanied editions: OUP)
Strawberry Fair (Collins Music; formerly published by A & C Black)
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