Polka

The term Polka represents both a musical style and its corresponding dance. Its origin is traced to Central and Eastern Europe, and more specifically to the Bohemian region of what is now the Czech Republic during the mid-1800s, and was brought to North America by immigrants from the region. Polka features are a lively beat played in 2/4 time, with the instruments (including the accordion, fiddle, clarinet, trumpet, concertina, tuba and a rhythm section) chosen based on which of the several regional variants of Polka is being performed. Polka is also featured in some Romanticism Music. The style remains very popular in its areas of origin, as well as the Midwestern United States of America.