Much folk music from around the world uses violin (called "fiddle" when played in these styles) but the viola can be substituted easily in most cases. Fiddle music from around the world includes Irish, Bluegrass, Scottish, Nordic, Klezmer, Romanian, Canadian, Western Swing, and many, many more.
Folk music is normally identified with a geographical region or a culture. It is traditional music that is rarely written, but instead passed down orally. Each performer makes the old melody his or her own through adding personal touches and changes. Usually the original composer is unknown. Much of the music is based on melodies sung by a voice, so the viola is a great instrument to mimic a middle range vocal melody.
Learning about a culture or one's heritage can't be complete without some knowledge of the folk music of that culture. The viola is a great instrument to use for exploring various people and places in the world.
