Folktunes.org

You might have noticed that there is a new layout for folktunes.org. We are working on the visual design of the site, but the new tag-based foundation of the collection will not change:

http://folktunes.org/tags (all of the "tags" below will be collected in this list)

• http://folktunes.org/artists
• http://folktunes.org/collections
• http://folktunes.org/instruments
• http://folktunes.org/songs
• http://folktunes.org/other_tags

This new tag-based system will allow every recording to have more than one artist, instrument, or song title attached to it. Also, any of these tags will be playable as a webjay-powered playlist.

We will post updates as we make improvements. Please leave us feedback and suggestions in the comments.

We are also looking to add collections to our collection. Please contact us if you know of any library or university collection of field recordings that would be willing to have their collections digitized and added to Folktunes.org.

PS: our podcast, which for now will feature certain recordings in the collection, is available at http://feeds.feedburner.com/folktunes

I first learned of Patrick Costello's Pik-Ware Publishing from his Creative-Commons-licensed The How and the Tao of Old Time Banjo. Now he has launched The How and the Tao of Folk Music, the first folk music instructional podcast that I have ever come across. This is a great resource for people learning old-time banjo and guitar, as he is putting a new tune up almost daily.

Great things are planned for the near future of this new front page... for now, please check out our wiki.