For many composers, their influences came from the history of their cultures and people. Bartòk took inspiration for many of his works from across Europe; specifically Hungarian folk music and culture. Komitas, considered one of the fathers of ethnomusicology, conducted extensive research into Armenian music and history. His Armenian Folk Songs are examples of the products of his research, which many credit with saving Armenian musical identity as a serious field of study.

Kjohalling and Pisachi both exemplify the roots of two cultures from opposite ends of the earth. Kjohalling takes traditional Danish folk tunes and transforms them into works for string quartet. Pisachi does the same with music from the Pueblo and Hopi Indigenous tribes; adapting American Indian music for the western classical music medium.