Traditional Irish Folk Music

Traditional Irish Folk Music is the heart and soul of the Emerald Isle. It has the ability to transport you to another place and time, and to touch your heart in a way that few other genres can.

The Origins of Traditional Irish Folk Music

Traditional Irish folk music has its origins in the Celtic music of Ireland. It is a genre of music that is typically performed by solo artists or small groups of musicians. The instruments used in traditional Irish folk music include the fiddle, accordion, penny whistle, flute, and bodhran.

The Celtic Influence

Irish folk music has its roots in the Celtic culture of Ireland. The Celts were a group of people who originated in central Europe and settled in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Brittany during the Iron Age. They were known for their love of music and their skill at playing the Celtic harp, an instrument that is still very important in Irish folk music today.

The Celtic influence can be heard in many of the traditional Irish songs that are still sung today. Some of these songs, like “Danny Boy” and “The Minstrel Boy”, are very well known outside of Ireland. Others, like “The Star of the County Down” and “The Galway Piper”, are less well known but no less beautiful.

Irish folk music is also influenced by the music of other cultures that have settled in Ireland over the centuries, including the Normans, the English and the Scots. This can be heard in songs like “The Black Velvet Band” and “Wild Mountain Thyme”, which have a distinctly different sound from traditional Celtic tunes.

No matter what its origins, Irish folk music is lively, joyful and sure to put a smile on your face. So why not give it a try? You might just find yourself falling in love with this unique and fascinating genre!

The English Influence

The English influence on traditional Irish music is evident in many ways. The English conquerors brought over their own kinds of music, which mingled with the existing Irish music to create a new, hybrid style. The English also brought new instruments, such as the viola, the recorder, and the organ, which found their way into Irish folk bands. Many of the early folk songs in Ireland were actually sung in English, rather than in Gaelic. Even today, some of the most popular Irish folk songs are in English.

The American Influence

In the nineteenth century, Irish immigrants brought their music to America, where it met and was influenced by the music of other cultures, resulting in a new form of Irish-American music. This fusion of styles led to the creation of such traditional American folk songs as “The Streets of Laredo” and “The Hollandtown Fire.” American folk music was also an important influence on the development of country music and bluegrass.

The Instruments of Traditional Irish Folk Music

Traditional Irish folk music is a genre of music that developed in Ireland. It is typically played on acoustic instruments, such as fiddles, guitars, mandolins, and drums. The music is generally based on Celtic themes and is often influenced by the folk music of other Celtic cultures.

The Fiddle

The fiddle is by far the most commonly used instrument in traditional Irish music, with players using a wide variety of techniques to produce their own unique sound.

The fiddle is essentially a four-stringed violin, with the same basic shape and construction. The strings are usually tuned to the same notes as a violin – GDAE – but some players prefer to use alternative tunings.

Fiddles come in a variety of sizes, with full-size instruments being the most popular choice for adult players. Smaller instruments are often used by children or people with smaller hands.

Fiddles are usually played with a bow, although some players prefer to use their fingers or a combination of both. Bowing techniques can vary considerably, and players often develop their own style which reflects their personality and playing style.

Fiddlers will often use a range of ornamentation techniques to add interest and variety to their playing. These can include string effects such as slides, mutes, rolls, and drones. Techniques such as these give Irish fiddle music its distinctive sound and make it instantly recognizable.

The Flute

The flute is a wooden, end-blown instrument. The player covers holes in the side of the flute with their fingers to produce different notes. This gives the flute a sweet, mellow sound that is often associated with Irish music.

The flute was not always an integral part of Irish music. In fact, it was not introduced to Ireland until the 18th century when it was brought over by the English soldiers stationed in the country. However, it did not take long for the flute to become popular among the Irish people. By the 19th century, it was one of the most commonly played instruments in Ireland.

Today, the flute is still an important part of traditional Irish music. It is often used in solo performances or as part of a larger ensemble. The flute can be accompanied by other instruments such as drums, guitars, and accordions.

The Uilleann Pipes

The Uilleann Pipes are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland. They are closely associated with traditional Irish music and are the most common type of bagpipe found in Irish bands.

The word “uilleann” comes from the Irish for “elbow,” referring to the method of bellowing the air into the bag. The Uilleann Pipes are quite different from the Scottish Highland Bagpipe, both in tone and in construction. The chanter is quieter, played without reeds, and has a much greater range of notes (over two octaves). In addition to the chanter, there are also three drones and three regulators (half-length pipes played with the elbows), giving the instrument a rich and full sound.

The Bodhran

The bodhran is anIrish frame drum ranging in size from 18 to 28 inches (46–71 cm) in diameter. The front of the drum is covered with animal skin (traditionally calfskin, later also synthetic materials such as plastic), and the back is open. It is played with one hand using a stick called a tipper, while the other hand holds the drum steady. The bodhran can be played solo or as part of a band. It originated in Ireland, but is now also used in other countries, such as Scotland and Wales.

There are many different types of bodhran, and they vary in size, shape and construction. The most common type is the half-moon bodhran, which is semi-circular in shape and has a single hand-hold on the back side. Other types include the octagonal bodhran and the square bodhran.

The bodhran originally developed as a way to keep rhythm during Irish dance music, but it has since become an integral part of traditional Irish folk music. In recent years, it has also gained popularity as a solo instrument and has been used in a wide range of genres including rock, pop and jazz.

The Styles of Traditional Irish Folk Music

Traditional Irish folk music is a genre of folk music that developed in Ireland. It is typically played on acoustic instruments, such as fiddles, tin whistles, accordions, harmonicas, guitars, and mandolins. The music is often accompanied by dancing, singing, and bodhrán playing. It is generally slower than other genres of folk music, and the tunes are usually quite simple.

Jigs

Jigs are a type of Folk Dance music in 6/8 or 12/8 time. The most common instruments used to play jigs are the fiddle, flute, tin whistle, bagpipes, accordion and the bodhran. Irish jigs can be quite fast, often having speeds of around 112 beats per minute.

A lot of jigs have been written in 2/4 time which can make them sound quite fast when played on the fiddle or tin whistle. Traditional Irish Music is often played at a slightly slower tempo to make it more danceable. Jigs often have a very “bouncy” feel to them and are great for dancing – that’s why they were originally written!

There are many different types of jigs, some of which are: single jigs, double jigs, slip jigs, strathspeys and hornpipes.

Reels

Reels are the most common type of Irish folk music. They are uptempo tunes that are meant to be danced to. The reel is thought to have originated in Scotland, and it eventually made its way to Ireland. Reels are usually played on fiddles, tin whistles, and flutes. Bagpipes can also be used, although they are not as common. Reels are usually between two and four minutes long.

Airs

Airs are slow, lyrical tunes, often sung without accompaniment. Many popular songs started out as airs, including “Danny Boy” and “She Moved Through the Fair”. Airs sometimes include a descant, which is an extra melody line that is sung above the main melody.

Ballads
Ballads are narrative songs that told stories of love, loss, and adventure. Many of the older ballads were probably originally written in Gaelic, but they have been translated into English over the years. “The Kelly Family” and “The Minstrel Boy” are two examples of well-known ballads.

Celtic music
Celtic music is a broad term that encompasses many different styles of music from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments like the Celtic harp, fiddle, and tin whistle, as well as its distinctive rhythms. Celtic music often features complex arrangements with multiple parts that weave in and out of each other.

Jigs and reels
Jigs and reels are fast-paced tunes that are typically played on fiddles, flutes, and penny whistles. They are often danced to, which is how they got their names — a jig is a type of dance, and a reel is another name for a spinning top. “The Irish Washerwoman” and “The Rakes of Mallow” are two examples of well-known jigs.

The Legacy of Traditional Irish Folk Music

Traditional Irish folk music is a genre of music that developed in Ireland from the 16th century onwards. It is the music of the people of Ireland and is closely associated with the country’s culture and history. The music has been passed down from generation to generation and is still enjoyed by many today.

The Irish Folk Music Revival

The Irish folk music revival (also known as the Celtic music revival) was a phenomenon of the late 19th century and early 20th century in which traditional Irish music came to be appreciated as art music in Anglo-American culture. It began in the US, where Irish immigrants had been playing traditional Irish music on an increasingly professional basis since the mid-19th century, and eventually spread to Britain and other countries where there were large numbers of Irish immigrants or their descendants.

The revival produced many famous musicians who were instrumental in spreading Irish folk music to a wider audience, including John Lorne Campbell, Frank Hamilton, Christy Moore, and The Dubliners. The movement also had a significant impact on the development of traditional Scottish folk music.

Contemporary Irish Folk Music

In the 1960s, a new generation of Irish musicians emerged who were influenced by the American folk music revival and by traditional Irish music. These musicians – including bands such as The Chieftains, The Dubliners and Planxty – brought traditional Irish music to a wider audience and helped to revive interest in it.

Today, traditional Irish folk music is enjoying something of a renaissance, with many young people taking an interest in playing it. There are now several festivals dedicated to traditional Irish music, and it has also become popular in other countries, particularly the United States.