Claire Robinson
Claire grew up on the acoustic and folk nights of the South West, learning early that a well-played acoustic guitar needs nothing else. Based in Exeter, she still plays the local sessions when she can. She writes about acoustic guitars, folk and singer-songwriters.
Hang Music Instrument for Beginners: A Complete Guide
No wrong notes, no exam to pass — just a calm, unhurried way to begin your first handpan, touch before rhythm, one small step at a time.
Common Celtic Harp Mistakes to Avoid
Most harp mistakes are not about music. They are about technique, maintenance and expectations — and they are easiest to fix before they become habits.
A Beginner's Guide to Bluegrass
A banjo, mandolin and fiddle chasing each other round a melody, each taking its turn in the spotlight. That's bluegrass, and it's easy to fall for.
A Guide to Concert Lighting
The quiet craft behind every gig: what concert lighting actually is, who builds it, and how fixtures, colour and control come together.
Guitar Ukulele Strings for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Nodded along when someone said 'guitar ukulele strings' and had no idea what they meant? Completely fine. Let's take it slowly, one question at a time.
Common Bouzouki Mistakes to Avoid
Most bouzouki troubles trace back to a handful of avoidable slips. Here they are, gently laid out, so you don't have to learn them the hard way.
Common Bass Ukulele Mistakes to Avoid
New players on this instrument tend to share a predictable set of errors. This guide names them clearly and explains what to do instead, so you get to the good part of playing sooner.
Beginner Ukulele Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A beginner ukulele is one of the most rewarding first instruments — provided you know what separates a good one from a frustrating one before you buy.
Folk Rock for Newcomers: Where to Start
No homework required — just a gentle, six-album path into a sound that's been rewarding new listeners for sixty years.
Ocarina: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Before you buy an ocarina, know what actually matters: tuning, hole count, material and fingering — and the warning signs worth walking away from.
Everything You Need to Know About Banjo String
That bright, ringing banjo chime comes down to a few small choices about wire. Here's everything worth knowing about banjo strings.
Bagpipes for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Bagpipes ask for patience, physical conditioning and proper guidance. Here is a gentle, step-by-step guide to getting started the right way.
Electric Fiddle for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Nothing about your playing needs to change. Here's a gentle, unhurried way into amplification for a nervous first-timer.
Common Autoharp Mistakes to Avoid
The autoharp is a forgiving instrument, but forgiving isn't foolproof. Here are the small, ordinary mistakes almost every owner makes, and the easy fixes for each.
Mandolin: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The mandolin market runs from laminate-topped learner instruments to hand-carved professional pieces. Knowing where you are in that range is how you avoid buying the wrong one.
Common Shamisen Mistakes to Avoid
Most shamisen trouble isn't about talent — it's a handful of quiet assumptions. Here are the mistakes that come up again and again.
Common Dulcimer Mistakes to Avoid
Most dulcimer trouble isn't about talent. Here are the small, easily avoided missteps that trip up new players most often.
Guitar Ukulele Strings: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Already own a drawer of classical guitar strings and eyeing a baritone uke? Here's how to work out if that's genuinely a good idea, before you spend.
Everything You Need to Know About Electric Fiddle
The same instrument, given the means to hold its own on a loud stage. Here's a gentle introduction to what an electric fiddle is and where it came from.
Common Baritone Ukulele Mistakes to Avoid
The small, easily-fixed misunderstandings that trip up an awful lot of new baritone ukulele players, said gently but plainly.
Common Tenor Banjo Mistakes to Avoid
The tenor banjo exposes errors clearly, which makes it an honest teacher — here are the mistakes that trip up most beginners and how to address each one before they become habits.
Common Kalimba Mistakes to Avoid
A kalimba is a forgiving instrument, which is exactly why a few quiet habits can go unnoticed for months. Here's what to watch for.
The Best Bluegrass Songs Right Now
No single chart settles what's essential in bluegrass. Here's an honest split between the songs that built the vocabulary and today's airplay leaders.
What Claire Robinson covers
Bagpipes
Bagpipes are powerful traditional instruments with strong regional identities, used across Scottish, Irish and wider fol...
Concertina
Compact bellows instrument with a bright, nimble voice, widely used in British, Irish and maritime folk music.
Dulcimer
Traditional folk instrument family with a sweet, ringing tone, including lap and hammered styles for melody and accompan...
Erhu
The erhu is a distinctive two-string bowed instrument valued for its lyrical, expressive sound.
Jaw Harp
Jaw harps are compact folk instruments with a buzzing, rhythmic tone and centuries of tradition.
Kalimba
Kalimba instruments are compact thumb pianos with a soft, melodic tone, ideal for beginners and atmospheric playing.
2 topics
Mandolin
Mandolin instruments deliver a bright, ringing tone with strong folk and acoustic appeal across many styles.
2 topics
Ocarina
Compact vessel flute with a clear, haunting tone and simple, portable appeal.
