CarolC, you said
"You never have to listen to polka to be a real folkie, Azizi, unless you live in the upper Midwest, or parts of Pennsylvania west of Philadelphia"

Well I DO live in Pittsburgh, PA which is definitely "parts of Pennsylvania west of Philidelphia".

But there's not a lot of cultural sharing in Pittsburgh..and so-if you want to experience other folk's culture you really have to work at it...

****

Raedwulf-glad that I'm forgiven. But are you telling me that I can't trust GOOGLE to give me accurate information?

Oh woe is me, woe is me!!

Then do you or anyone else have any websites that really and truly would give information about what a lute [one site said it was like a harpsichord?? is that better??} and the next question is "What is a harpsichord"??

not to mention what is does a 'rebec' look like..

I'm shattered that Google failed me..those pictures were so pretty and they SAID they were lutes..

I'm so discombobulated, I'm not even going to look up 'rebec'...

But I'll read what you and others say..

You guys [and gals] are the experts..

I don't play a darned thing.