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

Hohner Marine Band Crossover G Major

£66.50

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Marine Band Crossover A Major

£66.50

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Special 20 C Major

£37.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Special 20 D Major

£37.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Special 20 G Major

£37.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Special 20 A Major

£37.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Progressive Rocket C Major

£46.50

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Rocket Amp C Major

£45.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Rocket Amp E Major

£45.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Rocket E Major Low Octave

£64.50

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Penta Harp G Minor

£42.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Blues Harp C Major

£36.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Blues Harp D Major

£36.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Blues Harp G Major

£36.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Blues Harp A Major

£36.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Blues Harp Pro Pack C G A Major

£96.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Pro Harp C Major

£41.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Pro Harp G Major

£41.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Hohner Signature Series The Beatles C Major

£47.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

New Arrival

Hohner Special 20 C Major Pink

£39.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Ibanez M510 Mandolin Dark Violin Sunburst

£159.00 £169.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Special Offer

Epiphone Mandobird Vintage Sunburst

£299.00 £369.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Eastman MD604-GB Goldburst

£1,099.00 £1,239.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Eastman MD515/TV Wideneck Sunburst

£1,499.00

FREE Delivery

Awaiting Stock

Ozark 2371BK Mandolin A Model F Hole Black

(1)

£179.00 £201.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Ozark 2371BU Mandolin A Model F Hole Blue

£179.00 £201.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

New Arrival

Ozark Deluxe Vintage A-Model Mandolin All Solid

£499.00 £701.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Fender Blues Deluxe Harmonica D

£16.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Fender Blues Junior Diatonic 8-Hole Harmonica Key of C

£19.99 £26.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Fender X Third Man Hardware Harmonica C

£39.99

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

In Stock

Tanglewood TWB18M4 4 String Banjo

£399.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Tanglewood TWB18M5 5 String Banjo

£399.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Tanglewood TWBU Ukulele Banjo Tobacco Burst

£279.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Tanglewood Union TUB4 Banjo

£299.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Tanglewood Union TUB5 Banjo

£299.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

New Arrival

Epiphone Mastertone Bowtie Open Back Banjo Natural

£749.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Epiphone Earl Scruggs Golden Deluxe Banjo Natural

£1,199.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Deering Goodtime 6

£699.00 £749.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Deering Goodtime 5-String Openback Banjo

£499.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Deering Goodtime Deco Americana 5-String Banjo

£599.00 £649.00

Get it Sunday, Dec 7

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Stores Nationwide

Free Next Day Delivery

Sell your Guitar

Expert Advice

Extended Exchange

Folk Instruments

Filter

Hohner Marine Band Crossover G Major

Hohner Marine Band Crossover A Major

Hohner Special 20 C Major

Hohner Special 20 D Major

Hohner Special 20 G Major

Hohner Special 20 A Major

Hohner Progressive Rocket C Major

Hohner Rocket Amp C Major

Hohner Rocket Amp E Major

Hohner Rocket E Major Low Octave

Hohner Penta Harp G Minor

Hohner Blues Harp C Major

Hohner Blues Harp D Major

Hohner Blues Harp G Major

Hohner Blues Harp A Major

Hohner Blues Harp Pro Pack C G A Major

Hohner Pro Harp C Major

Hohner Pro Harp G Major

Hohner Signature Series The Beatles C Major

Hohner Special 20 C Major Pink

Ibanez M510 Mandolin Dark Violin Sunburst

Epiphone Mandobird Vintage Sunburst

Eastman MD604-GB Goldburst

Eastman MD515/TV Wideneck Sunburst

Ozark 2371BK Mandolin A Model F Hole Black

Ozark 2371BU Mandolin A Model F Hole Blue

Ozark Deluxe Vintage A-Model Mandolin All Solid

Fender Blues Deluxe Harmonica D

Fender Blues Junior Diatonic 8-Hole Harmonica Key of C

Fender X Third Man Hardware Harmonica C

Tanglewood TWB18M4 4 String Banjo

Tanglewood TWB18M5 5 String Banjo

Tanglewood TWBU Ukulele Banjo Tobacco Burst

Tanglewood Union TUB4 Banjo

Tanglewood Union TUB5 Banjo

Epiphone Mastertone Bowtie Open Back Banjo Natural

Epiphone Earl Scruggs Golden Deluxe Banjo Natural

Deering Goodtime 6

Deering Goodtime 5-String Openback Banjo

Deering Goodtime Deco Americana 5-String Banjo

Keep up with our latest offers, news & events