Volksmusik (German: literally, "people's music" or as a Germanic
connotative translation, "folk's music") is the common umbrella
designation of a number of related styles of traditional folk music from
the Alpine regions of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia and South
Tyrol (Italy). It tends to be dialect-heavy and invokes local and
regional lifestyles and traditions, particularly those of the Alpine
farmers and peasants.
Originally transmitted by oral tradition, the oldest historical records
like the Appenzell Kuhreihen by Georg Rhau (1488–1548) date back to the
16th century. Volksmusik is characterized by improvisation and
variation, uncomplicated major key melodies and simple harmonies.
Typical instruments range from alpenhorns to hackbretts, zithers and
acoustic guitars, and even violas and harmonicas. Harmonized singing is
frequent, but other pieces may require yodeling, while instrumental
arrangements are particularly frequent for fast dances or brass pieces.
Volksmusik continues to be performed by many local ensembles and bands
throughout the European Alps and should not be confused with
Volkstümliche Musik, which is largely to be found in broadcasting media
and on ancillary merchandise. Since the 1970s, artists of a Neue
Volksmusik genre, such as Werner Pirchner or Biermösl Blosn, attempt to
combine traditional styles with jazz, folk, hip hop, rock et al. as a
kind of world music. Popular proponents include Hubert von Goisern,
Attwenger and Christine Lauterburg.
Additionally, also e.g. a Czech variant (Oberkrainer, Dechovka) does
exist.
There has been much mix-up for this style, since 'Volksmusik' is the
verbatim translation of 'Folk music'. This style, however is very
specific, the correct translation for 'Folk music' into German is
'volkstümliche Musik'. This discrepancy is described amongst others in
the German Wikipedia article. The requested style is the specific style
for the alpine branch, well described by the English Wikipedia aricle.