Folkstrings.com is built around folk and traditional string (and a few non-string) instruments — the kind that don’t get much attention from the bigger guitar-and-piano-focused sites. Here’s a quick map of what’s covered, with a starting point for each.
Autoharp
A 21-chord, strummed instrument that’s genuinely beginner-friendly — you press a chord bar and strum, no fretting required. Oscar Schmidt dominates this market in real terms. Start with my autoharp buying guide.
Harp
Covers lever and lyre harps for folk players, not orchestral pedal harps. Start with 10 best harps for beginners or the small harps guide if budget or space is the priority.
Mountain & Hammered Dulcimer
Two genuinely different instruments sharing a name — the mountain dulcimer is fretted and held flat, the hammered dulcimer is struck with mallets. Start with my mountain dulcimer guide.
Mandolin
A real bluegrass and folk staple, tuned in courses like a 12-string guitar’s top half. See my honest mandolin picks.
Banjo
Open-back for old-time/clawhammer, resonator for bluegrass — the distinction actually matters. Start with the beginner banjo guide.
Ukulele
The easiest entry point on this whole list — four strings, soft nylon, genuinely approachable. See my ukulele picks.
Kalimba
A thumb piano, technically a lamellophone rather than a string instrument, but it sits firmly in the same folk/accessible-instrument space. See my kalimba guide.
Accordion
Bigger investment, steeper learning curve than most of what’s on this list, but a real folk-music staple across multiple traditions. See my accordion guide.
Zither
Worth knowing upfront: real concert zithers aren’t sold through normal retail channels in the US. My zither guide covers what it actually is and where to genuinely find one.
Violin & Fiddle
Same instrument, different musical tradition and playing style. See the fiddle vs violin breakdown if you’re not sure which term applies to what you want to play.
Guitar & Piano
Not folk-specific, but I cover beginner buying advice for both since they’re often someone’s first instrument before branching into anything else on this list. See guitar picks and piano picks.
About This Site
Folkstrings.com is written by Daniel Johnstone, who’s been playing stringed instruments for over twenty years and worked his way through most of what’s covered here personally. Every product recommendation on this site is checked against real, current reviews — not just specs — before it gets included.