Rob, folk music is best learned from others. That's how it's been done for generations. Find some local musicians and learn from them. I remember the story of a friend, Andy Kahn, who is a marvelous fiddler from North Carolina (he also plays lots of other instruments). He went off to live in the mountains of No. Carolina, learning traditional music from a great old fiddler, Carlie Marion. Andy lived in the mountains in a cabin - no running water, no electricity. When he finally came home, he had truly learned the old time music.

You don't have to go to that extreme, but you will learn more quickly if you seek out others and play music with them. Musicians are a friendly lot and love to share their knowledge and style. Yes, "Rise Up Singing" and other music publications are also excellent. I am so glad to see a young person interested in folk music. I hope you find it as enjoyable as I have. Good fortune! Jim