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