'Traditional music', as a category, eludes an easy definition. It is often used as a broad term, contrasting with classical and popular music, and referring to that music which is neither part of the academic tradition, nor conceived to be part of any commercial medium. Additionally, traditional music is often -at least initially- transmitted orally. It almost certainly carries a strong relation to some aspects of the culture and history of the land where it emerged. Even if it has a known author, traditional music doesn't place an emphasis on that figure, but rather tends to become an element of folklore. In that sense, and in some context, traditional music and folklore may be used interchangeably. The term 'traditional', however, has slowly replaced 'folk' as this last one was used to define a particular North American genre.