A folk instrument is a musical instrument that developed among common people and usually does not have a known inventor. It can be made from wood, metal or other material. Such an instrument is played in performances of folk music.

Overview
The instruments can be percussion instruments, or different types of flutes or trumpets, or string instruments that are plucked, hammered or use a form of  bow.

Some instruments are referred to as folk instruments because they commonly appear in folk music, even though they do not meet the criteria defining a folk instrument; an example is the harmonica.

List of folk instruments

accordion
alboka
angklung
appalachian dulcimer
autoharp
bağlama
bagpipe
balalaika
bandura
banjo
bass
binioù kozh
birimbau
bodhrán
bombard
bouzouki & Irish bouzouki
brommtopp
bukkehorn
bullroarer
cajón
catá
cavaquinho
Celtic harp
chajchas
charango
çifteli
cimbalom
çığırtma
claves
concertina
concheras
cuatro
daegeum
damphu
darbuka
dhol
dholak
didgeridoo
dingulator
dizi
djembe
dotara
dranyen
drum
ektara
erhu
fiddle
fujara
gadulka
gaida
gamelan
gayageum
guanzi
gudok
guitalin
guitar
guitarra Portuguesa
gusle
gusli
haegeum
hammered dulcimer
hank drum
hardingfele
harmonica
harmonium
hurdy-gurdy
jew harp
jouhikko
jug
kantele
kaval
kazoo
khamak
klopotec
kobza
kokle
komuz
kora
kulintang
låtfiol
launeddas
lur
lute
madal
mandocello
mandola
mandolin & octave mandolin
marimbula
mbira/thumb piano
melodeon
mountain dulcimer
mridangam
musical saw
nyckelharpa
ocarina
ocarina
oud
pan flute
phamuk
pipa
pogo cello
quena
rabeca
ravanahatha
rebab
rebec
recorder
rubab
salamiyyah
Sarangi (Indian)
Sarangi (Nepali)
sasando
shehnai
shofar
sinfonia
sitar
smallpipes
snare drum
sopilka
spilåpipa
Steel Guitar
steelpan
stompbox
suona
švilpa
tabla
talking drum
tambura
tin whistle
tiple
trembita
tres
udu
uilleann pipes
ukulele
viola beiroa
viola braguesa
viola caipira
viola campaniça
viola da terra
viola toeira
violin
vuvuzela
washboard
washtub bass
willow flute
xylophone
yangqin
zampoña
zhaleika
zither
zurna

References

Ethnology
Folk music
Musical instruments