A magyar népzene

Kodály summarized the significance of folk music in the preface to the first edition of this publication: ''It is such an integral part of the life of a healthy nation that we find it everywhere: it is present in art, in public education, in the manifestations of social life. It is always a sign of the stagnation of national life when folk music is pushed into the background in some way.”

One of the most important guidelines for learning about Hungarian folk music today is Kodály's summarical study. In a short summary, it explores the most important features, problems and origins of Hungarian folk music. It describes different genres, types, and occasions for folk songs and folk dance music while also addressing the matter of collecting folk music. The overall usefulness of the study was greatly enhanced by the example library compiled by Lajos Vargyas and first printed within the 1960 edition.