The Instruments of Irish Folk Music

Irish folk music is often played with traditional instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle, accordion, and more. Learn about the history and origins of these instruments, and how they’re used in Irish folk music today.

Traditional Irish Instruments

There are many instruments used in traditional Irish music. The most common instruments are the fiddle, the tin whistle, the Irish flute, the bodhran, and the uilleann pipes. These instruments are often used in Irish folk music because they can create a wide range of sounds.

The Fiddle

The Fiddle is undoubtedly the most well known of all traditional Irish instruments, and is the single most important instrument within the genre of Irish traditional music. It is believed that the modern fiddle evolved from earlier stringed instruments such as the lira da braccio (an archaic type of viola) which was introduced to Ireland by Renaissance dance masters in the sixteenth century. The fiddle went on to become the mainstay of Irish dance music and has remained so ever since.

Fiddles come in a variety of different sizes and shapes, but all share a few common features, such as a neck, a fingerboard, a bridge, and strings. The strings are usually made from gut or synthetic materials, and are stretched over a wooden bridge which rests on a soundboard. The soundboard amplifies the vibrations of the strings and helps to create the distinctive sound of the fiddle.

Fiddles can be played solo or as part of a group, and are often accompanied by other traditional Irish instruments such as the bodhran (a type of drum), the uilleann pipes (a type of bagpipe), or the accordion.

The Tin Whistle

The tin whistle, also known as the penny whistle, is a simple yet versatile wind instrument that is commonly associated with traditional Irish folk music. Though it has ancient origins, the tin whistle was first widely used in Ireland during the nineteenth century. Today, it remains a popular choice for performing traditional Irish tunes.

The tin whistle is made of metal and has six holes – five for the fingers and one for the thumb. It is held horizontally and played by blowing into the mouthpiece while simultaneously covering and uncovering holes to produce different notes. The instrument can be played solo or in an ensemble, and is often accompanied by other traditional Irish instruments such as the fiddle, banjo, or accordion.

Despite its simplicity, the tin whistle can produce a wide range of sounds and emotions, making it an essential part of Irish folk music. Whether used to convey the lightheartedness of a jig or the sorrow of a ballad, the tin whistle is sure to add a touch of Ireland to any musical performance.

The Uilleann Pipes

The Uilleann pipes are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland. They are known in Irish as píobaí uilleann (literally, “pipes of the elbow”), and are sometimes referred to as union pipes. The bag of the uilleann pipes is inflated by means of a small set of bellows strapped around the waist and the right arm. Uilleann is an Anglicisation of the Irish word for elbow: iuil. There is no inducement to blow air into a ball; all forcing of air into the chanter and regulators is done by compressing the bellows under the arm, producing a steady even pressure which allows for intricate fingerwork.

The uilleann pipes are distinguished from many other forms of bagpiping by their mellower tone and their imperturbability in almost any playing condition, even when fully exposed to rain or snow. Another advantage they have over most other types of bagpipe is that they can be played sitting down, which can be more comfortable for long periods of practice or performance. In addition, there are severalregulators which add greatly to their music range and versatility, and make them one of the most difficult instruments on which to play classical music; these include a chanter with a closed-ended fingering system (enabling semitones), regulators playable with either hand, etc.

The Bodhran

The bodhran (pronounced “BOW-run”) is a frame drum played with the hands. It is the most common drum used in Irish traditional music. The bodhran has a distinctive, bell-like sound that can be heard in many Irish songs.

The bodhran is a round, wooden drum with a goat skin stretched over the top. The skin is held in place by rings made of metal or wood. The rings are tightened or loosened to change the pitch of the drum.

The bodhran is usually played with two sticks – one thin and one thick. The thin stick is called a tipper and is used to strike the skin of the drum. The thick stick is called a beater and is used to create rhythms on the drum.

The bodhran can be played solo or as part of a band. When played solo, the bodhran provides a steady beat for dancers to follow. When played as part of a band, the bodhran can provide rhythm or melody.

Modern Irish Instruments

The instrumentation of Irish Folk music has undergone great changes since the Minstrelsy days of the 18th and 19th centuries when the only instruments heard in an Irish setting were the harp, fiddle and uilleann pipes. With the advent of the 20th century and the Irish musical renaissance, a great effort was made to revive the native musical traditions of Ireland. This article will focus on the modern instruments of Irish Folk music.

The Guitar

The guitar is one of the most popular instruments in Irish folk music, and has been since the 19th century. It is a versatile instrument that can be used for accompaniment or for melody. The guitar is usually played with a pick, and sometimes with fingers.

The Banjo

The modern banjo comes in a variety of different forms, the most common of which have either four, five, or six strings. The banjo is believed to have originated with African slaves in the American Colonies during the 1600s, and it is thought that the name ‘banjo’ may be derived from a Bantu word meaning ‘to strike’ or ‘to pluck’.

The instrument was brought to Ireland by returning soldiers in the late 1700s, and it quickly became popular among the rural Irish population. The banjo quickly became an integral part of Irish folk music, and it remains one of the most commonly played instruments in traditional Irish music today.

The Mandolin

The Mandolin is a stringed musical instrument with a body that’s typically oval or teardrop-shaped. It has a neck with four to six strings (the most common being double courses of two strings). The mandolin is played with a pick or plectrum, and has a bright, percussive sound that can be both very melodic or very fast and staccato.

The mandolin was first brought to Ireland in the late 18th century by Italian immigrant musicians, and quickly became popular in Irish traditional music. It was particularly common in the mid-19th century in County Mayo and Galway, where many Italian musicians had settled. Many of the great Irish mandolin players of the 20th century came from these areas, including Michael Coleman, Paddy Killoran, and John Joe Reilly.

The mandolin is still quite popular in Irish music today, and can be found in many different kinds of traditional music from around the world.

The Bouzouki

The bouzouki is a popular instrument in Irish folk music. It is a stringed instrument with a long neck and a large body. The bouzouki is played with a pick, and has a unique sound that is perfect for traditional Irish music.

Irish Folk Music Today

Irish folk music has evolved over the centuries, and today it is enjoyed by people all over the world. There are many different instruments used in Irish folk music, and each has its own unique sound. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular instruments used in Irish folk music today.

The Chieftains

The Chieftains are an Irish folk music band founded in 1962, by Paddy Moloney, Sean Potts and Michael Tubridy. The band has undergone several personnel changes over the years, with Moloney and Chieftains 5 member Matt Molloy being the only members to have played on every album. The Chieftains are probably best known for their collaboration with rock band The Rolling Stones on their album Voodoo Lounge, and their work on the film soundtrack for Titanic.

Members:
Paddy Moloney – uilleann pipes, tin whistle, bodhran
Matt Molloy – flute
Sean Potts – tin whistle
Michael Tubridy – concertina
Derek Bell – Celtic harp, oboe, cor anglais (died 2002)

Solas

Solas is an Irish-American band formed in 1994. The group is composed of founding members Winifred Horan and Seamus Egan, along with Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Mick McAuley, Eamon O’Leary, and Matt Molloy. The name is derived from the Gaelic word meaning “light” or ” enlightenment.”

The band has been described as “the standard-bearers of Irish music in America” and as “the first great modern Irish-American band.” Solas has been credited with helping to revive interest in traditional Irish music, and the group has been instrumental in popularizing the use of traditional instruments such as the bouzouki and wooden flute.

Solas’ musical style is a blend of traditional Irish folk music and American folk and bluegrass. The band has released 11 albums, including two live albums, and their latest album, All These Years, was released in 2016.

The Dubliners

The Dubliners were an Irish folk band founded in Dublin in 1962. The original line-up featured Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, Ronnie Drew, Ciarán Bourke and James Carey. The group was well known for their energetic live performances and for their recordings, which often included such traditional Irish songs as “The Wild Rover” and “The Black Velvet Band”.

The Dubliners achieved international success with their 1967 album, Whiskey in the Jar, which included the hit single of the same name. They continued to tour and record throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and released their final album in 2002.

Following the death of founding member Luke Kelly in 1984, the Dubliners continued as a four-piece band until McKenna’s retirement in 2012. The group officially disbanded in 2012 after a farewell tour with new members Liam Reilly and Sean Cannon.

The Pogues

The Pogues were a punk band that emerged from the Irish folk scene in the 1980s. Led by singer-songwriter Shane MacGowan, the band infused traditional Irish music with elements of punk rock, giving rise to a new genre of music known as Celtic punk. The Pogues are credited with popularizing Irish folk music in the United Kingdom and the United States, and their song “Fairytale of New York” has been voted the greatest Christmas song of all time.