Folk Instruments
Everything published on Viyolens under Folk Instruments — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
How to Set Up and Use Button Accordion
Guzheng: A Complete Buyer's Guide
What actually matters when choosing a guzheng, from bridge quality and strings to the questions worth asking before you buy.
The Best Bouzoukis for the Money
There's no single best bouzouki, only the right tier for your music and budget. Here's how the market actually breaks down.
The Best Bagpipes for the Money
From the most recommended student sets to the instruments that professionals choose, here are the specific models worth your money at every price point.
The Complete Guide to Capo For A Ukulele
A capo for a ukulele is an essential accessory that allows you to play songs in any key whilst maintaining the same fingering patterns. Our comprehensive guide covers types, proper technique, and how...
Concert Ukulele Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The concert sits between soprano and tenor in the ukulele family. Here is what the size difference actually means in practice.
Mountain Dulcimer for Beginners: A Complete Guide
The mountain dulcimer is one of the most accessible folk instruments for beginners. Here's how to set up, play your first notes, find good resources, and what to work toward in your first month.
How to Set Up and Use Nose Flute
From first breath to first melody — a detailed, step-by-step guide to setting up and playing the nose flute, including how to fix the most common early problems.
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.
Guzheng Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A shimmering cascade of notes and a note that bends and wavers, the Chinese zither explained properly, from movable bridges to its closest cousins.
A Guide to Baritone Ukulele
The largest common ukulele size, explained properly — its tuning, its history, and the guitar-like sound that sets it apart.
Kala Ukulele: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The right Kala ukulele depends on size, construction and budget — this guide works through each decision in order so you buy the right instrument the first time.
Bodhran: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A practical guide to buying a bodhran: understand budget ranges, compare goatskin vs synthetic heads, consider tuning systems and frame sizes, and find value at every price point.
Harmonica Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The harmonica is a free-reed instrument played in folk, blues, country, and rock. Understanding its main types — diatonic, chromatic, tremolo — and how positions and bending work is the foundation for...
The Ultimate Guide to Hang Drum Musical Instrument
The hang drum instrument is a handcrafted percussion marvel that produces warm, bell-like tones when struck with hands. Created in Switzerland in 2000, it has become beloved by world musicians and med...
Soprano Ukulele for Beginners: A Complete Guide
C, F and G are enough to start playing real songs. Here is a practical beginner's guide to the soprano ukulele — first session, chords and what to do when things don't sound right.
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.
How to Set Up and Use Mountain Dulcimer
Setting up a mountain dulcimer correctly from the start makes it easier and more enjoyable to learn on. Here's how to tune it, check the action, position it, and play your first notes.
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.
The Best Mountain Dulcimers for the Money
From budget entry-level options to premium luthier builds, here are the best mountain dulcimers at each price point — with honest picks and what makes each one worth considering.
Soprano Ukulele: A Complete Guide
The smallest and most traditional of the ukulele family, the soprano has a bright, quick voice and a history rooted in Hawaiian music. Here is everything you need to know.
Nose Flute: A Complete Buyer's Guide
From budget plastic to traditional bamboo, this buyer's guide tells you exactly what to look for in a nose flute — and what the marketing won't tell you.
Piano Accordion for Beginners: A Complete Guide
The piano accordion can feel overwhelming at first. But it is genuinely learnable, and the rewards are substantial. Here is what you need to know before the first lesson.
Concertina Explained: Features, Types and Tips
From Victorian parlours to Irish session rooms, the concertina has carried centuries of musical expression. Learn how this hexagonal instrument works and why it remains central to folk tradition.
Folk Instruments is filed under
All 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...
Banjo
The banjo offers bright, rhythmic attack and wide stylistic range across folk, bluegrass and traditional acoustic music.
3 topics
Bodhran
Find bodhrans for folk, Celtic and acoustic performance with the warm tone of a traditional Irish frame drum.
Harmonica
Harmonicas are compact, expressive instruments ideal for folk, blues and acoustic performance.
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.
