How did recordings and mass media change the way folk music is learned?

Traditionally, folk music was transmitted through oral or aural means, typically learned through face-to-face interactions within small, informal social networks of friends or family.1

In the 20th century, the rise of mass media and recordings fundamentally altered this process by replacing much of that direct, personal learning. These technologies, alongside radio, television, and the Internet, became primary vehicles for the dissemination of music.1

While these advancements shifted how folk music is learned, they also facilitated the preservation and revival of traditions in areas where local folklore had become moribund. Furthermore, the availability of commercial and field recordings allowed for more sophisticated study and archival work, enabling scholars to better document and analyze diverse musical traditions.2