Classic and popular recommendations in ethnic music
Ethnic music refers to traditional folk music.
It often features traditional, uncommon instruments from a given region, making it an especially recommended genre for those who play instruments.
This playlist is full of exotic charm that reflects the culture of each area!
If you find a track you like, be sure to go hear it performed live in its homeland.
- [World Music] A Guide to Folk Music: A Collection of Traditional Songs from Around the Globe
- 【2026】The State of World Music Now: Introducing Masterpieces to Enjoy Diverse Musical Cultures
- Masterpieces of Celtic music. Recommended Irish music.
- Belly dance music. Classic and recommended popular tracks of sensual dance music
- [2026] India’s Greatest Songs: Latest Hit Tracks & Timeless Classics [New and Old]
- [For Beginners] A Collection of Gamelan Masterpieces [Introductory Guide]
- [Irish Folk Songs] Surprisingly Familiar Masterpieces and Standards of Ethnic Music
- Masterpieces of ambient music. Recommended popular tracks.
- Carefully selected Japanese songs with a Latin flavor! Recommended J-POP brimming with exotic vibes
- Music of Passion: A Roundup of Artists Representing Latin Music
- “Somehow Nice” Chillout Music: Chill tracks perfect for BGM and relaxing time
- Mexican Music | Energetic Latin Tunes Make an Appearance!
- Masterpieces of contemporary (art) music. Recommended popular pieces.
Classic and Popular Ethnic Music Recommendations (31–40)
Brave Scottish March (Scotland the Brave)Watson’s College Pipes and Drums
The bagpipe is a traditional Scottish musical instrument, and “Scotland the Brave” is the most famous tune played on the bagpipes.
Within Scotland, it is treated as a national song.
It was also featured in NHK’s serial drama Massan.
horse racingUeiuei Ū
This is a popular erhu piece composed in the 1960s.
It’s a lively work that depicts galloping horses.
The imitation of a horse’s whinny by the instrument near the end of the piece is humorous.
The erhu is a two-stringed bowed instrument from China, and its shape and timbre vary depending on the region in which it was passed down.
freedomJoshi Jūnigakubō
“Freedom” is a signature piece by the band Twelve Girls Band, a group of female musicians who play traditional instruments used in China.
Although the piece features a modern arrangement, each member is a well-trained performer on her instrument, allowing listeners to enjoy the diverse timbres of various classical instruments.
SaranbeniSapporo Upopo Hozonkai
This is traditional music of the Ainu people.
Ainu music includes several types, such as the round song upopo and the epic yukar.
It also sometimes features distinctive instruments like the tonkori, which is similar to a guitar, and the mukkuri, a type of jaw harp.
Raag KhamajRavi Shankaru, Anushukā Shankaru
This is a performance on the sitar, a traditional musical instrument from northern India.
The sitar has 19 strings and is played by plucking them.
The performers are Ravi Shankar, a leading master of the sitar, and his daughter, Anoushka Shankar.
Ravi Shankar is also the father of Norah Jones.
Over the RainbowIZ
This is “Over The Rainbow” sung by IZ, a Hawaiian musician and ukulele player.
IZ was a very popular artist with a gentle singing voice and skillful ukulele playing, but sadly he passed away at a young age.
Even so, the music he left behind always brings us the blue ocean, sky, and breeze.
Kondorkanki, etc.Kurisutiina to Uugo
“Cristina y Hugo” are Argentine folklore singers.
They held many concerts in Japan and treated us to a wealth of folklore music.
The opening piece, “Condor Canqui,” is a song about a leader of a Peruvian rebellion.
Day Dah LightRuīzu Benetto
Louise Bennett actively collected old Jamaican folk songs and folktales, playing a major role in preserving them for future generations.
A song based on the folk song we introduced became a big hit: in the United States it was sung by Harry Belafonte, and in Japan it was performed by Michiko Hamamura as “Banana Boat.”