Everything Viyolens publishes on Folk & World Instruments — reviews, buying guides and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
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Inside Folk & World Instruments
All 62 topicsThe 12 most-searched of 62 topics. The full index is at the foot of the page.
Articles on Folk & World Instruments
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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.
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.
Harp: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Lever or pedal, new or used, nylon or gut — a patient, unhurried walk through everything worth checking before you commit to your first harp.
Erhu Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The erhu is China's best-known bowed instrument — a two-stringed, fingerboard-free fiddle with a voice closer to singing than playing. Here's how it's built and why it sounds the way it does.
The Best Harps for the Money
No fake benchmarks here — just an honest, tier-by-tier look at which harps genuinely suit which player, and where your money is best spent at each level.
The Ultimate Guide to Banjo
The banjo's true history, the difference between five-string and tenor, open-back and resonator, and how to choose your first instrument by the music you want to play.
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.
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.
Erhu for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Balanced on one knee, two strings, no fingerboard — here's exactly what to do in your first erhu sessions, one clear step at a time.
Ocarina Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A pocket-sized clay egg that sings a full melody — here's how the ocarina actually works, the types worth knowing, and the history behind it.
Ukulele Tuning for Guitar Players
Standard ukulele tuning is G, C, E, A, and every one of those notes can be found on a guitar. A practical guide to getting a ukulele in tune and keeping it there.
The Best Erhus for the Money
There's no single best erhu — only the right tier for where you are. Here's what actually changes between student, mid-range and professional instruments.
Harp for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Nervous about starting the harp? Here's the reassuring, unhurried truth about your first instrument, your first lessons and your first shaky months.
The Best Ocarinas for the Money
There's no single best ocarina — just the right one for your budget and how far you want to take it. Here's how the price tiers actually break down.
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 Ocarina Mistakes to Avoid
From overblowing to skipping the tuner, here are the ocarina mistakes almost every player makes early on — and the simple fixes for each one.
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.
