- American Folk Music: Includes genres like country, bluegrass, and the various regional folk traditions (such as Appalachian folk and Cajun music) rooted in the United States.
- British and Irish Folk: Encompasses traditional folk songs, ballads, reels, jigs, and dance music from the British Isles, including English folk music, Irish folk music, Scottish folk music, and Welsh folk music.
- Latin American Folk Music: A vibrant blend of indigenous, European, and African influences, with popular styles like Mexican mariachi, Andean music (including genres like huayno and cumbia), Brazilian samba and forro, and the folk traditions of Argentina, Chile, and many other countries.
- African Folk Music: Characterized by diverse rhythms, call-and-response singing, and intricate percussion, with genres such as West African griot music, Ghanaian highlife, South African mbaqanga, and the folk music of various ethnic groups across the continent.
- Asian Folk Music: Encompasses a vast range of styles, from the traditional music of India (including Hindustani and Carnatic classical music, as well as regional folk genres like bhangra and filmi), to the folk traditions of China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia.
- Eastern European Folk Music: Known for lively rhythms, rich vocal harmonies, and elaborate ornamentation, encompassing genres like klezmer (rooted in Jewish culture), Hungarian folk music, Romanian folk music, Balkan brass bands, and the folk music of Slavic countries.
Each of these categories contains numerous unique styles and traditions, reflecting the cultural diversity and historical contexts that have shaped these forms of folk music.