There are a limited number of structural characteristics and musical processes for Folk music, but there are still important characteristics for this musical style.
Timbre: a primary element of African/Afro-American music that was heavily criticized by Europeans; consisted of groaning, darker vocal tone, and unreserved exclamations of emotions .
Call-Response: “A song structure or performance practice in which a singer or instrumentalist makes a musical statement that is answered by another soloist, instrumentalist, or group.”
Polyrhythm: several contrasting rhythms played or sung simultaneously.