Reviews, guides and buying advice for folk and world instruments including banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, sitar, djembe and steel pan for UK players.
- 62 topics
- 256 articles
Inside Folk & World Instruments
All 62 topicsThe 12 most-searched of 62 topics. The full index is at the foot of the page.
Ukulele
Popular portable instrument with a bright sound and several sizes for folk and acoustic playing.
14 topics
Mandolin
Mandolin instruments deliver a bright, ringing tone with strong folk and acoustic appeal across many styles.
2 topics
Harmonica
Harmonicas are compact, expressive instruments ideal for folk, blues and acoustic performance.
Banjo
The banjo offers bright, rhythmic attack and wide stylistic range across folk, bluegrass and traditional acoustic music.
3 topics
Accordion
The accordion is a versatile folk instrument with rich tone, expressive bellows and many layouts for traditional and mod...
2 topics
Bagpipes
Bagpipes are powerful traditional instruments with strong regional identities, used across Scottish, Irish and wider fol...
Sitar
Iconic South Asian plucked instrument with ringing resonance, bends and rich sympathetic strings.
1 topic
Ocarina
Compact vessel flute with a clear, haunting tone and simple, portable appeal.
Didgeridoo
Resonant Australian drone instrument with powerful sustained tone, circular breathing and distinctive rhythmic effects.
1 topic
Erhu
The erhu is a distinctive two-string bowed instrument valued for its lyrical, expressive sound.
Harp
Harps offer resonant, expressive sound for folk, classical and contemporary acoustic playing.
3 topics
Melodica
Melodica instruments are compact keyboard wind instruments with a clear, expressive tone for learning and performance.
2 topicsArticles on Folk & World Instruments
All news
Common Ukulele Case Mistakes to Avoid
Most ukulele damage is preventable. These are the case-related mistakes that cause it most often, and how to avoid each one.
Dulcimer: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Two instruments share the name, several tunings and a lot of jargon. Here is what genuinely matters before you buy one.
Common Nose Flute Mistakes to Avoid
Most nose flute problems come down to a handful of common mistakes — here are the ones to know about and how to correct them before they become entrenched habits.
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.
The Best Dulcimers for the Money
There's no single best dulcimer, only the right tier for the player you are now. Here's how to find yours.
5 String Banjo Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The 5-string banjo's short fifth drone string creates re-entrant tuning — higher in pitch than all the others — and gives the instrument its characteristic, unmistakeable sound.
Bouzouki Explained: Features, Types and Tips
From the rebetiko tavernas of Greece to Irish folk sessions, the bouzouki comes in more than one form. Here's what sets them apart.
The Best Melodicas for the Money
There's no single best melodica — only the best one for your category. Here's how the field breaks down by classroom, studio, tone and skill level.
Common Singing Bowl Mistakes to Avoid
Most singing bowl frustrations come down to a handful of the same easy-to-fix habits. Here's what to watch for.
The Best Accordions for the Money
Reed quality, bellows airtightness and keyboard action are the benchmarks that separate good value from poor — this guide covers the standout options at every price point.
Tabla Explained: Features, Types and Tips
Two small drums, a language built from spoken syllables, and centuries of refined technique — the tabla is one of the world's most expressive percussion instruments.
How to Set Up and Use 5 String Banjo
A properly set-up five-string banjo is far more enjoyable to learn on. Here is how to fit strings, position the bridge, set the action and make your first sounds.
Electric Mandolin for Beginners: A Complete Guide
G, D and A — the three starting chords. Tremolo, double courses and amplifier setup — here's the complete first-steps guide for new players.
How to Set Up and Use Chromatic Harmonica
Get the slide moving freely and the embouchure right before anything else. Here is how to prepare and play your instrument from the very first session.
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.
Koto for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Learning the koto rewards patience over speed from the very first lesson — here's exactly what your first weeks will actually involve.
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.
Melodica Music Instrument: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Key count, mouthpiece or tube, build quality and trusted names: everything worth weighing up before buying your first melodica.
Didgeridoo Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The didgeridoo is one of the world's oldest instruments, still played in living Aboriginal tradition. Here's how it works and what the different types offer.
Koto Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A long plank of paulownia with thirteen strings that rewards patience — here's what a koto is, where it came from, and how it actually works.
Makala Ukulele: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a Makala ukulele is one of the simpler instrument decisions available. This buyer's guide covers size, model, starter packs, and what to check when the instrument arrives.
Darbuka for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A genuinely welcoming instrument to start on — here's exactly how to begin with your first darbuka, from holding it to your first dum and tek.
Common Erhu Mistakes to Avoid
Most erhu trouble isn't a lack of talent, it's a handful of small habits working against the instrument. Here are the ones that come up most often.
Tabla Drumming for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Nobody's first year on tabla sounds like music, and that's meant kindly. Here's where the tradition actually wants you to start.
What Folk & World Instruments Covers
This category brings together an extraordinarily diverse range of acoustic and traditional instruments from British roots music and global traditions. From the Irish bouzouki to the West African djembe, this category is home to the instruments that carry the musical identities of cultures across every continent — and it has never been more accessible to UK players wanting to explore beyond the mainstream.
Acoustic Folk Instruments for UK Players
The category includes much-loved British and Celtic staples: the five-string banjo used in clawhammer and bluegrass styles, the mandolin beloved in Irish and Americana sessions, the Greek-rooted bouzouki adopted into Irish traditional music, and the ukulele, whose popularity in the UK has grown steadily for over a decade. Folk guitars — typically steel-string acoustics from brands such as Tanglewood, Alvarez, and Sigma — sit alongside resonator guitars, harmonicas, and fiddles to complete the acoustic picture. Whether you're joining a weekly session at a local pub or exploring American old-time music at home, there is an instrument here to suit every interest.
World Instruments and Global Traditions
Beyond European folk, this section reaches into North Indian classical music with the sitar and tabla, West African percussion with the djembe and kora, and Caribbean rhythms with the steel pan. These instruments introduce entirely different playing approaches, tuning systems, and rhythmic languages. UK buyers should seek out reputable specialist retailers or makers — quality varies widely, and a poorly set-up sitar or an unresponsive djembe head can make learning unnecessarily difficult. Hobgoblin Music and dedicated Indian and world music suppliers are well-regarded starting points.
Getting Started: Beginner Considerations
Choosing your first folk & world instruments entry point starts with identifying the music you love. Budget realistically — a playable banjo from Barnes & Mullins or Ozark costs from around £100 to £300 new, while quality sitars and koras range higher. Prioritise comfortable action and reliable tuning over cosmetics. Ukulele remains the most accessible starting point, while tabla, sitar, and kora benefit from specialist tuition from the outset. Always budget for a case, spare strings or heads, and a clip-on tuner.
Brands and Where to Buy in the UK
The UK market is well-served by specialist retailers alongside the major online players. Brands including Deering, Epiphone, Mahalo, and Ozark cover the folk end of the spectrum, while specialist importers and luthiers handle higher-end world instruments. Buying from a dedicated music retailer — rather than a general marketplace — provides better quality control, proper setup, and access to after-sales support that makes a real difference for beginners and experienced players alike.
