Upbeat Irish Instrumental Music to Get You Moving

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Looking for some upbeat Irish instrumental music to get you moving? Look no further than this great selection of tunes!

Introduction

Irish music is often known for its lively and upbeat tunes that are perfect for getting people moving. Whether you’re looking for something to get you pumped up for a workout or hoping to add some energy to your next party, these popular Irish instrumental songs are sure to do the trick.

What is Irish Music?

Irish music is a genre of folk music that originated in Ireland. It is a vibrant, lively style of music that is often associated with traditional Irish dances like jigs and reels. Irish music is often fast-paced and upbeat, and it often features traditional Irish instruments like fiddles, tin whistles, and accordions.

Traditional Irish Music

Traditional Irish music is a genre of folk music that developed in Ireland. It has grown to include influences from neighboring countries and from the wider world. It is played on a variety of instruments, including the fiddle, accordion, tin whistle, banjo, concertina, melodeon, and uilleann pipes.

Irish music has a long history and has been influenced by many different cultures. Irish music is also very dance-oriented, and there are many different types of dances that are often accompianied by this type of music. These include jigs, reels, hornpipes, set dances, and polkas.

Traditional Irish music is often used for dancing at ceilis (pronounced “kay-lees”), which are social gatherings that often involve food and drink. This type of music is also often played at weddings and other special occasions.

Contemporary Irish Music

There is no one answer to the question “What is Irish music?” as the genre has evolved and been influenced by many different styles over the years. However, there are some common elements that are often found in Irish music, such as the use of traditional instruments like the fiddle, tin whistle, and accordion, as well as a strong focus on rhythm.

In recent years, Irish music has been influenced by rock and roll, pop, and even rap, resulting in a more contemporary sound. While some purists may argue that this is not “true” Irish music, there is no denying that it is a popular and exciting style that is enjoyed by many.

The Different Types of Irish Music

Irish music is a genre of music that originated in Ireland. It is a form of Celtic music, and is often characterized by a lively, upbeat tempo. There are many different types of Irish music, from traditional folk music to more modern, contemporary styles. Irish music is often used for dancing, and is a popular choice for weddings and other celebrations.

Celtic Music

Celtic music is a broad grouping of music genres that have emerged from the native folk music traditions of the Celtic people of Western Europe. Celtic music has drawn influence from many other genres, including folk, pop, rock, and classical.

The Celtic sound is often characterized by its use of traditional instruments such as the fiddle, penny whistle, and accordion, as well as by its distinctive vocal style. Celtic music has been popularized in recent years by artists such as Enya, Clannad, The Corrs, and others.

Folk Music

Irish folk music is the traditional music of the island of Ireland. It includes songs, melodies, and dance tunes. Folk music has been passed down from one generation to the next orally, by ear. It is often accompanied by instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle, accordion, and concertina. The most well-known Irish folk songs are “The Caisson Song”, “Danny Boy”, “The Galway Piper”, “The Wearing of the Green”, and “Whiskey in the Jar”.

Country Music

Country music, also known as country and western or simply country, is a genre of popular music that originated in the southern United States in the early 1920s. It takes its roots from genres such as folk music and blues. Country music often consists of ballads and dance tunes with generally simple forms, folk lyrics, and harmonies mostly accompanied by string instruments such as banjos, electric and acoustic guitars, steel guitars (such as pedal steels and dobros), and fiddles as well as harmonicas. Blues influences are also evident in the beat of the music. The style also occasionally uses unconventional instruments such as saxophones, horns, accordions, and electric violins.

Up-tempo numbers (“two-steps,” “Honky Tonks”) are usually played by fiddles and include elements of swing music. Slow ballads (“heart songs”) are often played by steel guitars. Due to its highly sentimental tone, country is often associated with loss or yearning.

The Various Instruments Used in Irish Music

Have you ever wondered what instruments are used in Irish music? The answer may surprise you. While many people associate Irish music with the penny whistle or the bagpipes, there are actually a wide variety of instruments used. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular instruments used in Irish music.

The Fiddle

The fiddle is a string instrument, most often with four strings, and is the backbone of traditional Irish music. The majority of Irish tunes are played on the fiddle, and it is often said that “if you can’t play the fiddle, you can’t play Irish music”. The fiddle has a long neck and a small body, and is held under the chin and played with a bow. Fiddles come in many different sizes, with the size of the instrument often determined by the size of the player. Child-sized fiddles are also available, which makes learning this popular instrument much easier for younger students.

The Bodhran

The bodhran (pronounced “bow-ron”) is a Celtic frame drum which is most commonly associated with traditional Irish music. It is usually played with a stick, or “tipper”, in the right hand and with the left hand either controlling the tension of the drumhead or adding embellishments such as rolls. The bodhran can be played as a solo instrument or in accompaniment to other instruments such as fiddles, flutes, guitars, etc.

The bodhran originated in Ireland and can be traced back to the 13th century. It was originally used as a means of communication between people in different parts of the country. In later years, it became an important part of traditional Irish music and dance. Today, the bodhran is played all over the world and is enjoyed by people of all ages.

The Tin Whistle

The tin whistle, also known as the penny whistle, is a simple brass instrument that is often used in Irish traditional music. It is usually made of metal or plastic, and has six holes that are covered by the player’s fingers. The tin whistle is a very versatile instrument, and can be used to play a wide variety of tunes.

The tin whistle is a popular choice for Irish traditional music because it is relatively easy to learn how to play. Many people who are new to Irish music start out by learning how to play the tin whistle. The tin whistle is also a very portable instrument, which makes it ideal for traveling musicians.

The tin whistle has a very distinctive sound that is often associated with Irish music. The sound of the tin whistle can be both sweet and melancholy, and many people enjoy listening to Irish music that features the tin whistle.

Famous Irish Musicians

Ireland is famous for its traditional music, which is sometimes called Celtic music. Irish music is known for its lively, upbeat rhythms and its beautiful melodies. Irish musicians have been making music for centuries, and their music has influenced the music of other countries. Some of the most famous Irish musicians include Enya, U2, and The Cranberries.

The Chieftains

The Chieftains are an Irish musical group founded in 1962, known for performing and popularizing Irish traditional music. They have won six Grammy Awards and been nominated for twenty-four. The band has played an important role in reviving traditional Irish music and in influencing the evolution of the genre, by experiment with rock, jazz, classical, and non-traditional music forms. The line-up of the band has included Paddy Moloney, Sean Keane, Matt Molloy, Kevin Conneff, Michael Tubridy, Derek Warfield (briefly), Martin Fay (founding member), Anton Goff (founding member), Seán Potts (founding member) amongst others. In 2017 they celebrated their 55th anniversary with a North American tour.

Enya

Enya born Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, (/ˈɛnjə/),[1][2] in Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland, is an Irish singer, songwriter and musician. Enya signed with Warner Music UK in 1987 and released her first album after 5 years with the company. She rose to prominence at once with the release of her second album which included the hit song “Orinoco Flow” that topped international charts. Enya achieved widespread popularity in the 1990s and to date she has sold over 80 million records worldwide,[3] making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Enya has won four Grammy Awards during her career; she was nominated for an Academy Award for “May It Be”, a Golden Globe Award for “Only Time” as well as receivers of several other accolades.

The Dubliners

The Dubliners are one of the most influential and well-known Irish folk bands of all time. Formed in 1962, the group originally consisted of Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, Ronnie Drew, Ciaran Bourke and James Joyce. The Dubliners quickly gained popularity in their native Ireland with their distinctive brand of Celtic folk music. They went on to enjoy international success, touring extensively throughout Europe and North America. The Dubliners were inducted into the Irish Music Hall of Fame in 2002.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our list of upbeat Irish instrumental music to get you moving. Whether you’re looking for something to energize your workout or just want to enjoy some toe-tapping tunes, these songs are sure to please.

Do you have a favorite Irish instrumental song that we didn’t include? Let us know in the comments below. And be sure to check out our other lists of great music for all occasions.

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