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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Folk Instruments | guitarguitar

Yamaha GL-1 Guitalele Black

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Fender Blues Deluxe 7 Piece Harmonica Set With Case

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Hohner Crossover Harmonica C

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Hohner Crossover Harmonica A

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Hohner Silver Star Harmonica G

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Ozark 2222 Bouzouki Flat Back

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£299.00

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Fender Venice Soprano Ukulele Shell Pink Walnut Fingerboard

£54.99

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Barnes & Mullins BM650 Salvino Mandolin

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£339.00 £369.00

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Eastman MD315

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£779.00 £959.00

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Fender PM-180E Mandolin Aged Cognac Burst Walnut Fingerboard

£339.00 £369.99

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Dunlop HH-1 Harp Handle

£36.99

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Ozark 2306GCS 5 String Banjo Cherry Sunburst

£349.00 £386.00

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Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele Natural Indian Laurel Fingerboard

£99.00 £119.99

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Ozark 2139 Appalachian Dulcimer

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£179.00 £189.00

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Fender Billie Eilish Concert Ukulele Walnut Fingerboard

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£239.00 £259.99

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Barnes & Mullins UBJ1 Closed Back Banjo Ukulele

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£249.00 £275.00

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Pilgrim Progress 5G Banjo 5 String G Banjo

£349.00

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Hohner Crossover Harmonica D

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Eastman MD305

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£659.00

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Hohner Silver Star Harmonica F

£13.99

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Ozark 2306GBK 5 String Banjo Black

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Ozark 2071 Mandolin A Style F Hole

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£189.00 £208.00

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Alvarez AU70WS Soprano Ukulele

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£99.00 £109.00

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Barnes & Mullins BJ400E Rathbone 5 String Electric Banjo

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£399.00 £479.00

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Hohner Silver Star Harmonica A

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£13.99

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Hohner Silver Star Harmonica D

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£13.99

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Hohner Marine Band Harmonica D

£39.99 £44.99

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Deering Goodtime Two 5-String with Resonator

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£699.00

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Fender PB-180E Banjo Natural

£369.00 £409.99

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Pilgrim Progress 6Gb Banjo Guitar Banjo

£279.00 £299.00

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Ibanez UEWT5 Open Pore Natural

£99.00 £119.00

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Ibanez UKS10 Ukulele Soprano

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£89.00

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Pilgrim Redwood A Style Mandolin Antique Violin Burst

£199.00 £229.00

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Fender Montecito Koa Tenor Ukulele Indian Laurel Fingerboard

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£209.00

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Mahalo Ukulele Rainbow MR1 Yellow

£29.99 £32.00

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Pilgrim VPB002 Vintage 5 String Open Back Banjo

£299.00 £399.00

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Barnes & Mullins BJ306 Perfect 6 String Banjo

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£249.00 £279.00

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Hohner Crossover Harmonica G

£69.00 £76.99

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Eastman MD505 A-style with F-holes

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£959.00

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Folk Instruments

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Yamaha GL-1 Guitalele Black

Yamaha GL-1 Guitalele Persimmon Brown

Fender Blues Deluxe 7 Piece Harmonica Set With Case

Hohner Crossover Harmonica C

Hohner Crossover Harmonica A

Hohner Silver Star Harmonica G

Ozark 2222 Bouzouki Flat Back

Fender Venice Soprano Ukulele Shell Pink Walnut Fingerboard

Barnes & Mullins BM650 Salvino Mandolin

Eastman MD315

Fender PM-180E Mandolin Aged Cognac Burst Walnut Fingerboard

Dunlop HH-1 Harp Handle

Ozark 2306GCS 5 String Banjo Cherry Sunburst

Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele Natural Indian Laurel Fingerboard

Ozark 2139 Appalachian Dulcimer

Fender Billie Eilish Concert Ukulele Walnut Fingerboard

Barnes & Mullins UBJ1 Closed Back Banjo Ukulele

Pilgrim Progress 5G Banjo 5 String G Banjo

Hohner Crossover Harmonica D

Eastman MD305

Hohner Silver Star Harmonica F

Ozark 2306GBK 5 String Banjo Black

Ozark 2071 Mandolin A Style F Hole

Alvarez AU70WS Soprano Ukulele

Barnes & Mullins BJ400E Rathbone 5 String Electric Banjo

Hohner Silver Star Harmonica A

Hohner Silver Star Harmonica D

Hohner Marine Band Harmonica D

Deering Goodtime Two 5-String with Resonator

Fender PB-180E Banjo Natural

Pilgrim Progress 6Gb Banjo Guitar Banjo

Ibanez UEWT5 Open Pore Natural

Ibanez UKS10 Ukulele Soprano

Pilgrim Redwood A Style Mandolin Antique Violin Burst

Fender Montecito Koa Tenor Ukulele Indian Laurel Fingerboard

Mahalo Ukulele Rainbow MR1 Yellow

Pilgrim VPB002 Vintage 5 String Open Back Banjo

Barnes & Mullins BJ306 Perfect 6 String Banjo

Hohner Crossover Harmonica G

Eastman MD505 A-style with F-holes

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