SKIFFLE Meaning and
Definition
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Skiffle is a genre of popular music that originated in the United States during the early 20th century and gained popularity in Britain in the 1950s. The term "skiffle" typically refers to a style of music characterized by a mixture of traditional American folk, blues, country, and jazz, often played on homemade or improvised instruments.
A skiffle band usually consists of a singer performing lead vocals and accompanying themselves on a guitar, banjo, or other stringed instrument, along with additional members playing various percussion instruments like washboards, spoons, and sometimes a makeshift bass created from a tea chest or broomstick. The simplicity of skiffle's instrumentation is a defining characteristic of the genre, emphasizing its folk roots and grassroots origins.
Skiffle gained popularity in post-war Britain due to its accessibility, as anyone could participate, even those without formal musical training or expensive instruments. It was a music form that brought people together, encouraging community sing-alongs and jam sessions. Skiffle played a crucial role in the British music scene, especially in the development of rock and roll. Influential British artists such as Lonnie Donegan and the Quarrymen (who later evolved into The Beatles) helped popularize skiffle through their performances and recordings.
Despite its fading popularity in later years, skiffle remains an important part of music history, as it provided a bridge between traditional folk music and the emerging rock and roll movement, influencing subsequent genres such as British Invasion bands and folk-rock.
Common Misspellings for SKIFFLE
Etymology of SKIFFLE
The word "skiffle" is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century, particularly in African American communities. Its precise etymology is uncertain, but there are a few theories.
One theory suggests that "skiffle" may have derived from the slang word "skuffle", which meant to make music or have a good time. This term was used in African American communities and could have been adapted into "skiffle" over time.
Another theory suggests that the word may have derived from the Arabic term "shiffl", which means "a little something". This theory suggests that the word traveled through African American communities in the United States, where it evolved into "skiffle".
In the 1940s and 1950s, "skiffle" became popular in the United Kingdom, especially in London.
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