Writer and musician John Phillpott delves into the darkness of pre-history and unearths a mysterious character known on both sides of the Atlantic by the…
The legend of John Barleycorn
Category: Articles
The Ney: A Charming Middle Eastern Reed Flute
(headline image: professional Arabic ney, 7 flutes, Ahmad Abd El Ghani) The ney (also spelled nay) is an ancient end-blown flute made from reed, widely…
The Best of Irish and Irish-Diaspora Folk Music for 2025
To celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, we have compiled a list with some of the finest Irish folk music recordings that appeared recently on World Music…
Castañuelas, an Essential Instrument in Flamenco and Spanish folk traditions
(Headline image semi-professional Jale Spanish flamenco castanets – Castañuelas) The castañuelas (castanets), are a percussion instrument consisting of two wooden pieces connected by a cord.…
Battle Cries and Ballads: The Music That Marched With Soldiers
British writer and musician John Phillpott picks up his metaphorical pack and musket and marches along the musical trail of British and American soldiers who…
Semsemiah: Traditional Crafting and Musical Heritage in Egypt and Saudi Arabia
(headline image: The number of semsemia strings on Farasan Island © Talal Ayeel, Saudi Arabia, 2023) The semsemiah (also known as sensemia, semsemeya or simsimiyya)…
The Violin: A Cherished Instrument Across Time and Genres
(headline image: Antonio Giuliani etude violin by Kennedy Violins) The violin, often called a fiddle in informal or folk music contexts, is a wooden string…
Solace for troubled times – Banyan Tree presents spiritual music concert series in India
Mumbai-based cultural events organization Banyan Tree launched the 24th edition of its spiritual music concert series in Bengaluru this week. Titled Ruhaniyat – Seeking the…
Changüí – A Foundational Genre in Traditional Cuban Music
(headline image: Grupo Changüí de Guantánamo – Photo by Gianluca Tramontana) Changüí is an early form of traditional Cuban music from the sugar cane lands,…
Yueqin: The Ancient Chinese Moon Lute
The yueqin, or moon lute, is a traditional Chinese string instrument distinguished by its round, hollow soundboard, short fretted neck, and typically four strings. Known…