Bulgarian folk music can be recognized as traditional Balkan music from Southeastern Europe. Bulgarian folk music distinguishes from other Balkan music, which can be explained by its unique combination of rhythms, harmony and polyphony. Furthermore regions within Bulgaria have their own musical characteristics:
- Severnjaško (north): Gabrovo, Lovech, Pleven, Razgrad, Rouse, Targovište
- Dobrudža (north-east): Silistra, Dobrich, Varna
- Trakija or Thrace, and Strandža (south-east): Yambol, Plovdiv, Sliven, Stara Zagora,
- Bourgas
- Rodopes (south): Pazardjik, Smoljan, Haskovo
- Pirin or Bulgarian Macedonia (south-west): Blagoevgrad
- Šop or Šopluk (west): Kjustendil, Pernik, Sofia
- (north-west): Vidin, Montana, Vratsa
Bulgarian folk music is typically performed with traditional instruments like gaida (goat-skin bagpipe), kaval (end-blown flute), gadulka (string instrument), tapan (large double-headed drum), tambura (lute) and tarabuka (finger-drum). Another dimension was added to the (city) music with modern instruments like accordion, clarinet, saxophone, drum set, electric brass and electric guitar.