Joanne Hall
Joanne grew up in Belfast, where traditional music and a fierce independent streak sit side by side, and both left their mark on her. She's drawn to music with roots and grit. She writes about folk, traditional music and the acts keeping it alive.
5 String Banjo for Beginners: A Complete Guide
The 5-string banjo's two main playing styles — clawhammer and Scruggs-style three-finger picking — both reward patient, consistent practice. Here is where to begin.
Harp Explained: Features, Types and Tips
From the chordophone basics to Sébastien Érard's 1810 pedal mechanism, here's what actually separates a lever harp from a pedal harp — and where each one turns up in music.
Ukulele Strings: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying strings is more than walking in and picking a set. The right choice depends on your instrument size, playing style and budget. This guide cuts through the noise to show what actually matters.
The Ultimate Guide to Sitar
There's far more to the sitar than its famous drone. A grounded guide to how India's great long-necked lute makes its sound, where it comes from, and how to start.
Everything You Need to Know About Cordoba 15cm Ukulele
Cordoba ukuleles bring serious craftsmanship to an often-overlooked instrument category. Learn why these guitar-inspired instruments deserve consideration for fingerstyle players and musicians seeking...
Tenor Banjo: A Complete Guide
Four strings, two tuning traditions and a history that spans jazz, Dixieland and Irish sessions — the tenor banjo is one of the most versatile and distinctive instruments in folk and traditional music...
Balalaika: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Not every triangular instrument on sale is built to be played. Here's how to check a balalaika's neck, bridge and strings before you buy, and where your money is best spent.
Ukulele Explained: Features, Types and Tips
Understanding the four sizes, tuning and material differences makes it much easier to choose the right instrument and set realistic expectations for learning.
How to Set Up and Use Guitar Ukulele Strings
The old strings are off and the new set is sitting there. Here's exactly how to fit guitar ukulele strings properly, one string at a time.
Cuatro for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Every cuatro once belonged to someone who'd never held one before. Here's a gentle, honest guide to your first weeks with one.
Ukulele Strings for Beginners: A Complete Guide
If you are holding a ukulele for the first time, you do not need to understand all the technical details. Start simple, enjoy the instrument, and learn as you go.
Shamisen: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Neck width, skin type and repertoire all pull in different directions when buying a shamisen — here's what actually matters.
Electro Acoustic Ukulele: A Complete Guide
An electro-acoustic ukulele amplifies your natural tone for busking, performing and recording. Transparent electronics let your ukulele's character shine, just louder.
The Best Banjo Strings for the Money
Good value on banjo strings isn't the cheapest packet — it's the right specification for how you play. Here's how the standards compare.
Celtic Harp: A Complete Buyer's Guide
From string count to lever quality, here is what actually matters when choosing a lever harp for folk and traditional music.
The History of Bluegrass
A tradition built in the hills, from church harmony and string bands to Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys and beyond. Here's where bluegrass actually came from.
Balalaika for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Sore fingertips, thin strums, notes that fade fast — all completely normal. Here's a patient, encouraging first-steps guide to picking up the balalaika.
Everything You Need to Know About Jaws Harp
One of the world's oldest instruments, found in musical traditions across Asia, Europe and the Americas. Here's what it is, how it works and where it appears.
Accordion Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A bellows-driven instrument played across a wide range of folk and world-music styles — this overview covers how it works, the main types and how to choose the right system.
The Best Didgeridoos for the Money
The right didgeridoo for the money depends on your playing stage and context. Here are the strongest options at each price tier.
Fender Ukulele for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Three chords, four strings, and regular short sessions — here's how to start learning the ukulele and actually make progress.
Dulcimer for Beginners: A Complete Guide
You can get a real tune out of this instrument in your first week. Here is exactly how to start, without wasting money or getting discouraged.
Concertina: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing your first concertina feels overwhelming—Anglo or English, new or vintage, how much to spend. This grounded guide cuts through the confusion and helps you find the right instrument.
5 String Banjo: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying the right five-string banjo comes down to knowing your style first: resonator for bluegrass, open-back for clawhammer and old-time. Everything else follows from that.
What Joanne Hall covers
Accordion
The accordion is a versatile folk instrument with rich tone, expressive bellows and many layouts for traditional and mod...
2 topics
Banjo
The banjo offers bright, rhythmic attack and wide stylistic range across folk, bluegrass and traditional acoustic music.
3 topics
Didgeridoo
Resonant Australian drone instrument with powerful sustained tone, circular breathing and distinctive rhythmic effects.
1 topic
Fiddle
Choose a fiddle for folk, traditional and acoustic playing, with lively response and comfortable handling.
3 topics
Harp
Harps offer resonant, expressive sound for folk, classical and contemporary acoustic playing.
3 topics
Sheet Music & Learning
Your guide to sheet music, scores, music theory books, and graded exam resources for UK musicians — from beginner method...
54 topics
Sitar
Iconic South Asian plucked instrument with ringing resonance, bends and rich sympathetic strings.
1 topic
Ukulele
Popular portable instrument with a bright sound and several sizes for folk and acoustic playing.
14 topics
