A folk instrument is an instrument that developed among common people and usually doesn't have a known inventor. It can be made from wood, metal or other material. It is a part of folk music. The instruments can be percussion instruments, different types of flutes, the bow and different types of trumpets.

The cavaquinho is a Portuguese folk instrument.

Some instruments are referred to as folk instruments even if they do not meet the criteria for classifying a folk instrument because they commonly appear in folk music. An example would be harmonica.

[edit] List of folk instruments

• Accordion
• Appalachian dulcimer
• autoharp
• bagpipe
• balalaika
• bandura
• banjo
• bağlama
• bodhran
• bouzouki and Irish bouzouki
• Bullroarer
• cavaquinho
• cümbüş
• çiftelia
• concertina
• daegeum
• darbuka
• didgeridoo
• dhol
• Djembe
• dholak
• dingulator
• dotara
• dranyen
• drum
• ektara
• erhu
• fiedil / Fiddle
• gayageum
• guitar
• gusle
• gusli
• haegeum
• Hank drum
• harmonica
• harmonium
• hammer dulcimer
• haat baya
• hurdy gurdy
• jew's harp
• kantele
• khamak
• klopotec
• kobza
• komuz
• kulintang
• Launeddas
• Lur
• Lute
• mbira / thumb piano
• mandola
• mandocello
• mandolin and octave mandolin
• marimbula
• melodeon
• mridangam
• musical saw
• naal
• nyckelharpa
• pogo cello
• prem juri
• quena
• salamiyyah
• shofar
• smallpipes
• steelpan
• stompbox
• Talking drum
• tin whistle
• oud
• ukulele
• violin
• washboard
• willow flute
• zurna
• zither
• zealouser

Over 75 instruments