This episode of Folk Files takes a departure from folk songs to talk about folk instruments! Learn about the history, ancestors, and etymology of folky string instruments, including the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and guitar!

Host: Olivia Harding

Special thanks to: Aaron J. Morton

Check out Basic Folk: https://basicfolk.com/

Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast?redirect=true

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: Ekona Diatta

WORK: Gambia

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/FHCpjVrGDNk?si=90XYIILixvtyxtMR

ARTIST: The Harper and the Minstrel

WORK: Cantiga 353

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVrfqvHVbdU

ARTIST: Valentina Nicolai

WORK: Il Ballerino

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfx7WcyG5sI

ARTIST: Ragnhild Hemsing

WORK: Valdresguten

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYSVDG8ZFNw

ARTIST: Chris Thile

WORK: Jessamyn’s Reel

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88q9syere0Q

ARTIST: RAVN

WORK: In Nature #2

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cCM04Qvx2w

ARTIST: Edward Foster

WORK: Ja Nus Hons Pris

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mfDscXoY8A

ARTIST: Bernardo de Pace

WORK: The Wizard of the Mandolin

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHfQTzDnz9s

ARTIST: Rolf Lislevand

WORK: Unknown

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/jUd_Tl3N3wE?si=X60gcIMUodA_J3wZ

ARTIST: Mariachi Juvenil Perla

WORK: El Cascabel

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SVCsqs3Vsc

ARTIST: Justin Johnson

WORK: Justin Johnson Plays the Diddley Bow

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Ic3j7f5GU

ARTIST: Miles Caton (Sinners 2025 Soundtrack)

WORK: Travelin’

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/1hC9X81x7nY?si=xW18W3o91LS2RTEa

ARTIST: Sol Hoopii

WORK: Palolo

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/kPzqjmgi2-I?si=PC7eTQXuaPmCuRce

ARTIST: The Lady Victoria

WORK: King of the Fairies

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/QuYm9wvTvkc?si=v2wN0FT2YmDgk_Rv

ARTIST: Frontier Culture Museum

WORK: O du lieber Augustine

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTAtHhG7H6A

ARTIST: Joni Mitchell

WORK: California (Live)

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5BnE5_lPqE

ARTIST: Scott Marshall

WORK: Unknown

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvBSXocQog0

ARTIST: Unknown

WORK: Organistrum

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg5J1cQs7CM