Folk music is a music genre that includes traditional folk music and the contemporary genre that evolved from the former during the 20th-century folk revival. Some types of folk music may be called world music. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted orally, music with unknown composers, music that is played on traditional instruments, music about cultural or national identity, music that changes between generations, music associated with a people's folklore, or music performed by custom over a long period of time. It has been contrasted with commercial and classical styles. The term originated in the 19th century, but folk music extends beyond that.

वैदिक ॠचाओं की तरह लोक संगीत या लोकगीत अत्यंत प्राचीन एवं मानवीय संवेदनाओं के सहजतम उद्गार हैं। ये लेखनी द्वारा नहीं बल्कि लोक-जिह्वा का सहारा लेकर जन-मानस से निःसृत होकर आज तक जीवित रहे।