Folk Instruments

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Mahalo Ukulele Rainbow MR1 Black

Mahalo Ukulele Rainbow MR1 Black

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Barnes & Mullins BM600E Wimborne Electro Acoustic Mandolin

Barnes & Mullins BM600E Wimborne Electro Acoustic Mandolin

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Mahalo Art Skull Ukulele Soprano Black

Mahalo Art Skull Ukulele Soprano Black

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Epiphone MB100 Banjo

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Fender Blues Deluxe Harmonica 3 Pack with Case

Fender Blues Deluxe Harmonica 3 Pack with Case

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Fender Venice Soprano Ukulele Black Walnut Fingerboard

Fender Venice Soprano Ukulele Black Walnut Fingerboard

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Mahalo 2515C Java Concert Ukulele Natural Satin

Mahalo 2515C Java Concert Ukulele Natural Satin

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Ibanez M510E Mandolin Electric Brown Sunburst

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Yamaha GL-1 Guitalele Tobacco Sunburst

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Fender Harmonica Holder

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Barnes & Mullins BJ300 Perfect 5 String Banjo

Barnes & Mullins BJ300 Perfect 5 String Banjo

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Yamaha GL-1 Guitalele Natural

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Deering Goodtime 5-String Openback

Deering Goodtime 5-String Openback

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Ozark 2099G 5 String Banjo Composite Shell and Resonator

Ozark 2099G 5 String Banjo Composite Shell and Resonator

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Barnes & Mullins BJ304GT Perfect Irish Gaelic 4 String Tenor Banjo

Barnes & Mullins BJ304GT Perfect Irish Gaelic 4 String Tenor Banjo

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Yamaha GL-1 Guitalele Persimmon Brown

Yamaha GL-1 Guitalele Persimmon Brown

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Fender PM-180E Mandolin Aged Cognac Burst Walnut Fingerboard

Fender PM-180E Mandolin Aged Cognac Burst Walnut Fingerboard

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Ozark 2306GCS 5 String Banjo Cherry Sunburst

Ozark 2306GCS 5 String Banjo Cherry Sunburst

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Ozark 2455 F Style Mandolin

Ozark 2455 F Style Mandolin

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Ozark 2139 Appalachian Dulcimer

Ozark 2139 Appalachian Dulcimer

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Eastman MD305

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Pilgrim Progress 5G Banjo 5 String G Banjo

Pilgrim Progress 5G Banjo 5 String G Banjo

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Barnes & Mullins UBJ1 Closed Back Banjo Ukulele

Barnes & Mullins UBJ1 Closed Back Banjo Ukulele

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Barnes & Mullins BJ304 Perfect Tenor Banjo

Barnes & Mullins BJ304 Perfect Tenor Banjo

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Ozark 2306GBK 5 String Banjo Black

Ozark 2306GBK 5 String Banjo Black

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Ozark 2071 Mandolin A Style F Hole

Ozark 2071 Mandolin A Style F Hole

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Natal Natural Birch Cajon L

Natal Natural Birch Cajon L

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Yamaha GL-1 Guitalele Black

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Alvarez RU22C Concert Ukulele

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Alvarez RU26C Concert Ukulele

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Alvarez RU26CCE Concert Electro Ukulele

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Alvarez RU22S Soprano Ukulele

Alvarez RU22S Soprano Ukulele

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Alvarez RU26S Soprano Ukulele

Alvarez RU26S Soprano Ukulele

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Ibanez UKS10 Ukulele Soprano

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About Folk Instruments

Folk Instruments are the wide array of instruments used to play the more traditional, cultural and roots music from culture, peoples and communities all around the world. Some of the most common types of instruments include the mandolin, banjo, ukulele and harmonica. You can find a wide selection of these as well as a whole further array of instruments here at guitarguitar, as well as others like the Harmonica and the Appalachian Dulcimer.

guitarguitar proudly sells all of these string instruments from makers such as Deering, Ozark, Barnes & Mullins, Alvarez and Mahalo. If you are interested in folk music, roots music or playing in acoustic ensembles, we will undoubtedly have a number of these portable instruments to interest you in each of our stores, not to mention the entire range available online.

Folk musicians who have played a folk instrument include Israel Kamakawiwo'ole who famously played ukulele, Neil Young plays a harmonica, Steve Earle can be seen with a mandolin, Ashley Campbell, daughter of the late great Glenn Campell plays a banjo and Mumford and Sons can regularly be seen playing these musical instruments.

Why Should I Choose a Folk Instrument?

  • Perfect for country, folk and bluegrass music
  • Easy to learn and comfortable to play
  • Different styles for different players
  • Wide array of instruments to fit a host of musical styles
  • Often fun and easy to get started learning
  • Lets you access the rich vein of cultural music styles from around the world

Frequently Asked Questions about Folk Instruments

Question: What are 'folk instruments'?
For guitarguitar, 'folk instruments' refers to the acoustic (or electro acoustic) instruments used to play the folk music styles from around the world. Lots of folk tradition has spread from area to area across the world, though. For instance, the banjo, that most Southern American of instruments, actually came from Africa so our loose term of Folk Instruments is merely a suggestive one rather than descriptive of any particular musical genre. This category contains mainly fretted instruments that can be played acoustically.
Question: I already play the guitar: what is an easy folk instrument to transition on to?
One suggestion would be a 6 string banjo. These are tuned to the same notes as a guitar and have a neck that is relatively similar to an acoustic guitar so you should be able to pick one up straight away and begin playing with confidence. An example of a good 6 string banjo is the Epiphone Stagebird.
Question: Which guitarguitar stores carry folk instruments?
All of our stores carry a good selection of folk instruments within our acoustic departments. In addition to that, our Glasgow, Birmingham and London stores have dedicated acoustic showrooms filled with an outstanding collection of acoustic instruments including an excellent folk instrument area in each. Our Birmingham acoustic showroom is the largest of its kind in the UK: this is definitely the place to go to if you want to be surrounded by stunning examples of folk instruments!
Question: What are the main instruments in folk music?
It depends on which part of the world's folk music you want to play! Most Scots, English, Irish and North American folk music uses mainly mandolin, and banjo, in addition to conventional acoustic guitar and instruments like the bouzouki and violin. Hawaiian and pacific folk music however make the greatest use of the Ukulele in its various sizes, in addition to acoustic guitar.
Question: Why are they called folk instruments?
Folk instruments are defined, simply, as the instruments commonly used to play many types of "Folk Music." "Folk Music" as a term describes the traditional music performed, maintained and developed by a people, a culture, or a nation, as opposed to popular music or larger composed styles such as classical music.
Question: What materials are used to make folk instruments?
The most common material is wood in its various types. There can be others though, such as the banjo with it's drum-style body construction that utilises a raft of other materials, or harmonica with its metal and reed construction.
Question: What is the easiest folk instrument to learn?
The easiest folk instrument to make a start on is arguably the ukulele, thanks to its small size and easy-to-press nylon strings.