World Music

Travel the world with artists from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Learn about musical instruments from a range of musical traditions and get recommendations on artists, songs, and albums.

  • a simple djembe
    World Musical Instruments Every Family Should Own
  • Men play castanets while herding sheep through Madrid, Spain
    Castanets: A Spanish Folkloric Percussion Instrument
  • Group of people playing sitar while sitting on a stage.
    The Sitar and Famous Musicians Who Incorporate It Into Songs
  • Man playing the accordion
    The History of the Accordion in World Music
  • Uilleann Pipe Player
    The Uilleann Pipes
  • Claves
    Introduction to Claves
  • Reel
  • Cuban musicians playing in the street
    What Kinds of Music Come From the Caribbean?
  • Teen Girl Playing Guitar
    An Overview of "Whiskey in the Jar"
  • Bob Marley pointing up and singing during performance with guitar
    The Difference Between Ska and Reggae
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commemoration At Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery
    Why Bagpipes Are Played at Funerals
  • Bob Marley performing live on stage at the Brighton Leisure Centre
    10 Essential Reggae Classics
  • The Skatalites - Foundation Ska
    Introduction and History of Ska Music
  • Smiling young woman playing the guitar
    'Au Clair de la Lune' Lyrics and Translation
  • O DONOGHUES FOLK PUB IN DUBLIN, IRELAND
    The Wearing of the Green
  • A Catholic confession booth with a purple curtain
    The Croppy Boy Lyrics and Background
  • Band Performing
    Instruments in a Cajun Music Band
  • Christmas markets in Belfast, Northern Ireland
    The Wexford Carol
  • Man playing accordion
    An Overview of Polka Music's History
  • Traditional Music Shop
    Lyrics and History of the Irish Folk Song "The Spinning Wheel"
  • The Chieftains in Los Angeles, 1993
    Irish Music 101
  • Mopping a Tile Floor
    "Do You Want Your Old Lobby Washed Down" Lyrics
  • Dunbrody Abbey in Wexford, Ireland
    Boolavogue Lyrics and History
  • Fela Kuti on stage
    Afrobeat 101
  • Bob Marley
    All About Jamaican Music
  • Musicians playing at O'Donoghue's Bar, Dublin, Ireland
    Dear Old Skibbereen Lyrics and History
  • Cheb Mami in Concert
    An Introduction to Rai Music
  • The Malian singer of reggae
    Toasting: A Callback to Ancient Chants
  • Sean Paul performing at Kaya Fest
    Introduction to Jamaican Dancehall Music
  • Irish Music
    "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen" History & Lyrics
  • Beautiful Woman Playing Celtic Harp While Sitting On Grassy Field
    "Danny Boy," the History and Lyrics
  • Caribbean steel pan band
    Calypso Music 101
  • Bob Marley
    Top Ten Books About Reggae and Jamaican Music
  • The Dubliners on The Late Late Show, 1987
    Folk Song History and Lyrics: 'The Rising of the Moon'
  • People playing bagpipes
    The History and Lyrics of Irish Folksong Galway Piper
  • Klezmer Music
    Klezmer Music 101
  • Little girl playing violin
    Red Is the Rose
  • Photo of Clifton CHENIER
    Zydeco Music 101
  • Alton Ellis: 'Be True To Yourself'
    The History of Jamaican Rocksteady Music
  • Jamaican Mento Music 101
  • Mardi Gras parade
    'La Danse de Mardi Gras' Song Lyrics and Meaning
  • Enya performing at the 2006 World Music Awards
    Artists Similar to Irish New Age Singer Enya
  • Illustration of a young woman listening to music with the Eiffel Tower in the background
    10 Iconic French Songs
  • Fado Singer and Guitarist Perform
    10 Essential Starter Portuguese Fado CDs
  • Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) on stage at the Rainbow Theatre, London, 2nd June 1977
    Top 10 Covers of Bob Marley Songs
  • Peatbog Faeries performing
    The Best Contemporary Traditional Scottish Music
  • Celebrate Brooklyn! With Amadou & Mariam And Bombino
    10 Essential Albums of Malian Music
  • Navajo flute player near Cathedral Canyon at sunset
    Native American Flute Music Starter Albums
  • Ladysmith Black Mambazo perform during the Library Of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song Gala
    South African Gospel Starter CDs
  • Is This Love
    Bob Marley's Best Love Songs
  • Pub session, Milltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland
    Top 10 Irish Music Starter CDs
  • Photo of Django Reinhardt
    Essential Django Reinhardt Playlist
  • Flamenco Dancers
    10 Essential Flamenco Albums
  • CD of Chant
    5 Essential Gregorian Chant Starter CDs
  • Edith Piaf's Greatest Songs
  • Bob Marley
    How Reggae Legend Bob Marley Died
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - 'Exodus'
    Fun Facts About Bob Marley's Life and Music
  • Edith Piaf
    Biography of Edith Piaf, French Singer
  • Bob Marley and The Wailers
    Why Did Reggae Musician Bob Marley Smoke Marijuana?
  • Bob Marley performs on stage
    Biography of Bob Marley, Iconic Reggae Star
  • Edith Piaf's Grave
    The Tragic Death of French Cabaret Sweetheart Edith Piaf
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