Folk Music Instruments You Need to Know About

This list of folk music instruments will help you choose the right one for your music. From the fiddle to the accordion, find out which one is right for you.

Introduction

Folk music is a genre of music that has its roots in the traditions of a culture or region. In many cases, folk music is passed down orally from generation to generation. Folk music often includes elements of storytelling, and it can be used to celebrate important events or commemorate significant people or places.

There are many different types of folk music, and each has its own unique history and sound. Some of the most popular folk music instruments include the accordion, banjo, fiddle, guitar, hammered dulcimer, lute, mandolin, pennywhistle, and sitar.

The accordion is a portable musical instrument that is played by pressing buttons or keys on either side of the instrument. The accordion is popular in a variety of genres, including folk, jazz, and rock.

The banjo is a stringed instrument that has its origins in Africa. Banjos are commonly used in bluegrass and country music. The banjo has a unique sound that is produced by the plucking of the strings with the fingers.

The fiddle is a stringed instrument that is played with a bow. Fiddles are commonly used in Celtic and bluegrass music. The fiddle has a bright sound that can be both cheerful and melancholy at the same time.

The guitar is a popular stringed instrument that can be played either with the fingers or with a pick. Guitars are commonly used in folk, rock, and country music. The guitar has a wide range of sounds that can be both mellow and lively.

The hammered dulcimer is a stringed instrument that is played with small hammers. The dulcimer originated in Europe, and it is commonly used in Celtic and old-timey music. The dulcimer has a mellow sound that can be both soothing and enchanting.

The lute is a stringed instrument that is played with the fingers or with a pick. Lutes originated in Europe during the Renaissance period, and they are commonly used in classical and contemporary music. The lute has a warm sound that can be both soothing and romantic.

The mandolin is a stringed instrument that is played with the fingers or with a pick. Mandolins originated in Italy during the Renaissance period, and they are commonly used in folk and bluegrass music. The mandolin has a bright sound that can be both cheerful and energetic.

The pennywhistle is a small flute-like instrument that is played by blowing into one end while covering holes on the body of the whistle with the fingers. Pennywhistles are commonly used in Celtic music but can also be found in other genres such as ska and punk rock . The pennywhistle has happy sound often associated with Irishfolk tunes .

The sitar is a plucked stringed instrument originating from India which is played by sitting on the floor cross-legged with the strings facing upwards towards you . Sitars typically have 21 strings , 6 main playing strings which are tuned to specific notes , 5 drone strings which provide sympathetic resonance (unplayed open strings which vibrate sympathetically along when other strings are plucked)and 11 sympathetic resonatingstrings below . A typical sitar measures around 35 inches long , but larger versions do exist measuring up to 42 inches long .

The Fiddle

The fiddle is a string instrument that is most often associated with folk music. It is similar to the violin, but it has a different shape and is played with a different technique. Fiddles are often used in traditional Irish and Scottish music.

The Banjo

The banjo is a four-, five- or six-stringed instrument with a thin membrane stretched over a frame or cavity as a resonator, called the head. The membrane, suspended on tensioned cords, is commonly made of animal skin. The banjo is played with the fingers or a plectrum and is a central instrument in regular execution in various kinds of American folk music, including bluegrass, old-time music and minstrelsy.

The strings of the banjo are paired in courses of two or three strings. The lowest string in each course is tuned an octave higher than its neighbor producing what is known as drones. The instrument’s neck joins the body at the 14th fret. The headstock is typically V-shaped with tuning machines at the points. Its scale length (the distance between nut and bridge) is generally between 21″/530 mm and 26″/660 mm.

The Mandolin

The mandolin is a small, lute-like stringed instrument with a deep history in folk music. Though its popularity has waxed and waned over the years, the mandolin remains an important part of many folk traditions.

The mandolin has a longneck and a rounded back, and typically has four or five strings. It is played with a pick, and is known for its twangy, bright sound. Mandolins are often used in bluegrass and country music, but can be found in many other genres as well.

The mandolin originated in Italy in the 17th century, but gained popularity in America in the early 1900s when immigrants from Italy brought their instruments with them. The mandolin saw a decline in popularity in the mid-20th century as other instruments like the guitar became more popular, but has seen something of a resurgence in recent years.

If you’re interested in learning to play the mandolin, there are plenty of resources available. You can find online lessons, YouTube videos, and books specifically about playing the mandolin. You can also take lessons from a local music teacher or join a community band or orchestra that includes mandolins.

The Guitar

The guitar is one of the most popular instruments in folk music, and it’s easy to see why. Guitars are versatile, portable, and relatively affordable, making them a great choice for anyone interested in picking up a new musical hobby.

There are a few different types of guitars commonly used in folk music: acoustic guitars, classical guitars, and electric guitars. Acoustic guitars are the most popular type of guitar for folk music; they’re well-rounded and versatile, and they can be used for a variety of genres beyond folk. Classical guitars are typically used for classical and flamenco music, although they can be used for other genres as well. Electric guitars are less common in folk music but can still be used to create beautiful sounds.

If you’re interested in learning to play the guitar, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, be sure to buy a guitar that is comfortable for you to play. There is no “perfect” size or type of guitar; it all depends on your individual body type and playing style. Second, be sure to get the appropriate strings for your guitar. Different types of guitars use different types of strings, so be sure to get the right ones! Third, practice as often as you can! The more you play, the better you’ll become at playing the instrument.

The guitar is a great choice for anyone interested in learning to play folk music. With a little bit of practice and patience, you’ll be strumming away like a pro in no time!

The Harmonica

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about folk music is probably the sound of a guitar, but there are actually a wide variety of folk music instruments that have been used over the years. Many of these instruments are still in use today, and some have even become more popular in recent years. One of the most iconic folk music instruments is the harmonica.

The harmonica is a small, handheld instrument that consists of a row of metal plates mounted on a wooden or plastic frame. The player blows into or sucks on the plates to create different notes. The harmonica is most commonly used in blues and jazz music, but it has also been used in a variety of other genres including country, rock, and pop.

The Accordion

The accordion is a popular folk music instrument with a long history. It is a type of portable reed organ that consists of two sets of parallel reeds, one for each hand, that are played by pressing down on buttons or keys. The accordion is also equipped with a bellows, which is used to pump air into the reeds and produce sound.

The Accordion first appeared in Europe in the early 19th century and quickly became a popular folk music instrument. It is particularly associated with traditional German, Austrian, Croatian, French, Italian, Russian, and Scandinavian folk music. The accordion is also sometimes used in jazz and rock music.

The Bagpipes

The bagpipes are a type of musical instrument that has a lot of history behind it. These pipes have been around for centuries, and they are still being played today. There are many different types of bagpipes, but the most common one is the Scottish Highland bagpipe. This instrument is very distinctive looking, with a large bag that is inflated with air and two or more drone pipes sticking out of it. The player blows into a mouthpiece connected to the bag, and presses down on the various fingerholes on the drone pipes to change the notes.

The Dulcimer

The dulcimer is a stringed instrument that is played with small hammers. It originated in the Appalachian Mountains, and is now also popular in other parts of the United States and Canada. Dulcimers come in a variety of styles, including the Appalachian dulcimer, plucked dulcimer, bowed dulcimer, and hammered dulcimer.

The Appalachian dulcimer is the most common type of dulcimer. It has a trapezoidal body shape and three or four strings. The plucked dulcimer is similar to the Appalachian dulcimer, but it has a rectangular body shape and only two strings. The bowed dulcimer has a bow instead of hammers, and the hammered dulcimer looks like a small piano with strings that are hit with hammers.

Dulcimers can be acoustic or electric. Acoustic dulcimers are usually made of wood, while electric ones can be made of wood, metal, or plastic. Dulcimers are typically tuned to a major or minor chord.

The Autoharp

The autoharp is a wonderful folk music instrument that is often used in Americana and country music. It is played by plucking the strings with the right hand while holding down the buttons with the left hand, which allows the player to create chords. The autoharp has a bright, cheerful sound that will add a touch of whimsy to any song.