Collection: Folk Instruments

Here are some general trivia facts about traditional stringed folk instruments:

1. The banjo, originating from West Africa, was brought to America by enslaved Africans and became an essential instrument in American folk and bluegrass music.

2. The ukulele, derived from the Portuguese machete, gained popularity in the late 19th century and is associated with Hawaiian music.

3. The violin, also known as a fiddle in folk music, is one of the oldest and most widely used stringed instruments in various folk traditions worldwide.

4. The sitar, originating from India, is a plucked string instrument commonly associated with Hindustani classical music.

5. The Appalachian dulcimer, also called the mountain dulcimer, is a fretted string instrument popular in the Appalachian region of the United States, often played in folk and old-time music.

6. The balalaika is a traditional Russian instrument with a triangular body and three strings, commonly used in Russian folk music.

7. The shamisen is a three-stringed instrument from Japan, frequently used in traditional Japanese music.

8. The bouzouki, a Greek instrument resembling a long-necked lute, is integral to Greek folk music.

These trivia facts highlight the diversity and cultural significance of traditional stringed folk instruments beyond guitars. :)