The frame

When we teach Norwegian dancing in Seattle (and other places I'm sure) we often talk about the range of accepable expression in a particular dance as being the 'frame.' Each dancer is encouraged to find their own style within that frame. This is what keeps the tradition alive and prevents stagnation.

Here in Rauland one of my two favorite questions is 'what is folk music?' We are all pretty sure we know it when we hear it, but everyone has a canvas of a different size and shape. Some are more conservative and feel that only pure traditional music belongs in the folk music category. Others are a more open and accept anything that includes traditional instruments or is inspired by traditional music. Our textbook includes community control in the mix of what is folk music.

On Saturday night at the Norwegian Folk Music Awards in Oslo, all possible combinations of folk music were presented. As I listened to Valkyrien Allstars play after they recieved the prize for the folk musicians of the year, I felt my personal frame stretch. Perhaps it was because I'd never heard them sound so good live before (the whole festival was plagued with less than fantastic sound). They weren't just playing rock music on hardanger fiddles; they were really playing hardingfele in a traditional style, but arranged for a 2008 rock audience. If you haven't heard them, I recommend it. And while you listen, listen for the folk music roots at the heart of it all.