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.
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.
Common Mountain Dulcimer Mistakes to Avoid
Most mountain dulcimer mistakes are avoidable with a little knowledge. Here are the most common errors — from playing a badly set-up instrument to jumping between tunings too early — and what to do in...
Bagpipes: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing your first set is not like picking a guitar off a rack. Claire walks gently through what to look for, what to spend, and what can wait until later.
Ocarina for Beginners: A Complete Guide
You can get a clear note out of an ocarina in your first sitting. A patient, step-by-step guide to your first tune and your first fortnight of practice.
Common Concertina Mistakes to Avoid
Learning concertina means making mistakes—but some are easier to avoid than others. Discover the pitfalls that catch beginners and how to sidestep them on your path to mastery.
Common Kala Ukulele Mistakes to Avoid
Most common problems with a Kala ukulele are avoidable — this guide covers the eight mistakes beginners make most often and explains exactly how to fix them.
Common Balalaika Mistakes to Avoid
Most balalaika mistakes aren't about talent at all. Here are the small, common misunderstandings worth catching early, and how to work with the instrument instead of against it.
The Best Folk Music Artists to Know
Some artists don't just perform folk music, they carry it. A gentle tour through the names most worth knowing, old and new.
The Best Tabla Drummings for the Money
The shiniest advert rarely matches the drum that actually suits where you are in your playing. Here's an honest tier-by-tier guide.
Mandolin for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Learning the mandolin starts with getting the tuning right, learning a handful of chords and developing a clean pick technique. Here is what the early weeks actually look like.
The Ultimate Guide to Hang Music Instrument
The Hang was one Swiss company's own instrument; the handpan is the whole family it inspired. Here's the real history and how it actually works.
Common Cuatro Mistakes to Avoid
None of these mistakes mean you're doing anything wrong — just the quiet, common ways this instrument asks to be understood a little differently.
Erhu: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Two strings, no fingerboard and a bow threaded between them — buying an erhu doesn't have to feel like guesswork. Here's exactly what to check first.
Common Jaw Harp Mistakes to Avoid
Four technique mistakes that hold most beginners back, with specific, practical fixes for each — covering grip, pluck force, mouth shaping and tongue care.
Common Koto Mistakes to Avoid
The koto asks for a particular kind of patience — here are the mistakes that most often get in the way of it, told kindly.
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.
