How to Play Irish Folk Music

A quick and easy guide to playing Irish folk music on the tin whistle.

Irish Folk Music Basics

Irish folk music is a genre of folk music that developed in Ireland. It has been influenced by the music of Ireland’s neighbors, such as Scotland, England, and Wales. Irish folk music has also been influenced by the music of the United States and Australia. The most important thing to remember when playing Irish folk music is that the rhythm is very important.

What is Irish Folk Music?

Irish Folk music is the music of the people of Ireland. It is often played on traditional instruments, such as the fiddle, tin whistle, accordion, and bodhrán. Irish Folk music has a strong tradition of vocal music, with songs often being passed down from generation to generation. The songs often tell stories of love, loss, war, and emigration.

Irish Folk music is very popular around the world and has influenced many other genres of music, such as country, rock, and jazz. Many famous musicians have come from Ireland, such as Bono, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and Enya.

The Instruments Used in Irish Folk Music

Irish folk music is a genre of folk music that developed in Ireland. It is associated with the Celtic tradition, but has also been influenced by English, Scottish and American folk music. The instruments most commonly used in Irish folk music include the fiddle, tin whistle, accordion, flute, bagpipes, bodhran (a type of drum) and uilleann pipes (a type of bagpipe).

The fiddle is by far the most common instrument in Irish folk music. It is a stringed instrument that is played with a bow. The tin whistle is a type of flute that is commonly used in Irish folk music. It is a simple instrument that is easy to learn how to play. The accordion is a type of keyboard instrument that is also commonly used in Irish folk music. It has a distinctive sound that adds to the overall atmosphere of the music.

The flute is another common instrument in Irish folk music. It is a wind instrument that produces a beautiful sound when played properly. The bagpipes are also commonly used in Irish folk music. They are a type of wind instrument that consists of a set of pipes that are played with the mouth and one hand. The bodhran is a type of drum that is commonly used in Irish folk music. It provides the rhythm for the music and gives it its distinctive beat.

Uilleann pipes are another type of bagpipe that is commonly used in Irish folk music. They have a softer sound than traditional bagpipes and are considered to be more versatile due to their ability to play both melody and harmony.

The History of Irish Folk Music

Irish folk music is the traditional music of Ireland. It developed from the older folk traditions of Scotland and England, and was particularly influenced by the music of immigrants from Scotland and England. Irish folk music is played on a wide variety of traditional instruments, such as the Irish flute, tin whistle, accordion, concertina, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, pennywhistle, bones and bodhrán.

The earliest known reference to Irish folk music is found in a poem by Dallán Forgaill, an 8th-century Irish bard who wrote a poem called “Aislinge Meic Con Glinne”. In this poem, Forgaill describes a dream in which he sees the soul of Ireland crying out for help from the suppressing English. This cry is echoed in many other works of Irish literature throughout the centuries.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Irish folk music was outlawed by the English government because it was thought to be a symbol of Irish nationalism. This only served to make the music more popular among the Irish people. In spite of this oppression, many traditional songs and tunes were passed down through oral tradition and remained popular in Ireland into the 19th century.

During the 19th century, waves of Irish immigration to North America and Australia brought Irish folk music to these new continents. The popularity of traditional Irish music spread throughout the world in the 20th century, thanks largely to The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, who popularized Irish folk music with their performances on American television in the 1950s and 1960s.

How to Play Irish Folk Music

Irish folk music is a genre of folk music that developed in Ireland. Irish folk music has seen a renewal in popularity in recent years. If you’re interested in learning how to play Irish folk music, there are a few things you should know. In this section, we’ll go over the basics of how to play Irish folk music.

How to Play the Irish Tin Whistle

Irish traditional music is, at its core, acoustic music. Though there are many different instruments used in Irish folk music, the tin whistle is one of the most commonly heard. If you’re interested in playing this type of music, learning how to play the tin whistle is a good place to start.

The tin whistle is a simple instrument—it’s basically a metal tube with six holes in it. You blow into one end and cover the holes with your fingers to create different notes. Though it may seem daunting at first, with a little practice you’ll be playing Irish folk tunes in no time.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

-Start by learning how to produce a clear sound on the tin whistle. This is called “embouchure,” and it’s one of the most important things to master if you want to play well. Practice making a “t” shape with your lips and then blowing gently into the tin whistle. You should feel a buzz against your teeth—that’s how you know you’re doing it right.
-Once you can make a clear sound, it’s time to start working on fingerings. The easiest way to learn is by finding someone who already knows how to play and having them show you which holes to cover. Alternatively, there are plenty of online tutorials and videos that can also help you out.
-Once you know some basic fingerings, it’s time to start practicing simple melodies. A great way to do this is by finding traditional Irish folk tunes that use only a few notes and working on those first. “Danny Boy” is a great choice for beginners—the melody only uses six notes total.
-As you become more comfortable with the tin whistle, start branching out and experimenting with different sounds and techniques. You can add vibrato by shaking your fingers slightly as you play, or try trills and embellishments once you know more fingerings. The sky’s the limit—have fun!

How to Play the Irish Bodhran

The bodhran (pronounced “bow-ron” or “bo-ron”) is a hand-held drum used in Irish folk music. It has a single membrane stretched over a circular frame and is usually played with a double-ended stick called a tipper. The bodhran can be played as a solo instrument or in accompaniment to other instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle, or uilleann pipes.

When playing the bodhran, the drummer keep time by striking the drum with the tipper in unison with the other musicians. The tipper is held in both hands and struck alternately on either side of the drumhead. The right hand controls the volume of sound by how hard it strikes the drumhead, while the left hand controls the pitch by where it strikes the head (closer to the edge produces a higher pitch).

The bodhran can also be played with just one hand using a technique called triplets. In this method, the tipper is held in the strong hand and struck on alternating sides of the drumhead three times in quick succession. This produces a fast roll which is used to keep time or as an embellishment.

With practice, you will be able to produce a wide range of sounds on the bodhran. Experiment with different techniques and volumes to find what sounds best for you.

How to Play the Irish Fiddle

The Irish fiddle is a staple of Irish folk music, and if you want to learn how to play this traditional instrument, there are a few things you need to know. First, the Irish fiddle is played with a bow, and second, the music is usually fast-paced and lively. If you’re new to playing the fiddle, it can be helpful to start with some slow, easy tunes before moving on to more complex pieces.

Once you have the hang of basic bowing technique, you can start learning some simple tunes. “The Jolly Beggarman” is a good one to start with, as it only uses a few notes. As you get more comfortable playing, you can try more challenging tunes like “The Curragh of Kildare” or “Angeline the Baker.”

To really bring your Irish fiddle playing to the next level, there are a few ornamentation techniques you can use. These include adding trills, slides, and vibrato to your playing. With practice, you’ll be able to add these embellishments seamlessly into your tunes, giving them that authentic Irish sound.

Irish Folk Music Songs

Irish folk music is a genre of folk music that developed in Ireland. It is played on the fiddle, accordion, concertina, penny whistle, flute, banjo, mandolin, guitar, bodhrán, and other instruments. Irish folk music has a distinctive style that is characterised by rhythmic patterns, melodic riffs, and drone bass.

“Danny Boy”

“Danny Boy” is a ballad written by English songwriter Frederic Weatherly and usually set to the Irish tune of the “Londonderry Air”. It is about a young man who is forced to leave his loving home and sweetheart in Ireland to find work in England. Though he promises to return, he knows that he may never see his homeland or his dear Danny Boy again.

The tune of “Danny Boy” was originally a secular song called “The Londonderry Air”, which was collected by Jane Ross in County Londonderry, Ireland in the early 19th century. Frederic Weatherly, an English lawyer and songwriter, heard the tune while vacationing in Ireland and was inspired to write new lyrics for it. The new lyrics were published in 1913, and the song quickly became popular in both England and Ireland.

Today, “Danny Boy” is one of the most popular Irish folk songs and is often performed at funerals, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and other occasions.

“The Irish Washerwoman”

“The Irish Washerwoman” is a light-hearted, fast-paced jig that is popular among traditional Irish folk musicians. This tune is often used as an audition or sight-reading piece for intermediate level players. The melody is played in the upper octave of the tin whistle, with some quick runs and trills that can be challenging for beginners. The rhythm of this tune is easy to catch on to, and it’s a great song to add to your repertoire if you want to impress your friends with your Irish folk music skills!

“The Wild Rover”

“The Wild Rover” is a traditional Irish folk song about a man who has spent all his money on alcohol and now regrets his actions. The song is often sung as a drinking song, but it can also be played as an instrumental.

The song starts with the man asking for one more drink before he leaves the pub. He then tells the story of how he used to be a wild rover, spending all his money on alcohol and women. But now he is regretting his actions and wants to go home to his family. The chorus of the song is repeated after each verse, with the last line of each chorus changing to reflect the man’s growing desperation.

The song ends with the man finally leaving the pub and vowing never to return again.

Irish Folk Music Festivals

If you’re a fan of Irish folk music, then you’ll want to check out some of the festivals that are held throughout the year. Irish folk music has a rich history and is a great way to experience the culture of Ireland. Here are some of the top Irish folk music festivals that you should check out.

The Cork Folk Festival

The Cork Folk Festival is a celebration of traditional and contemporary Irish folk music and dance. It is held every year in the city of Cork, Ireland.

The festival was founded in 1971 by a group of local musicians and enthusiasts, and has been held annually ever since. It is now one of the largest and most prestigious folk festivals in Ireland, attracting visitors from all over the world.

The Cork Folk Festival features a wide range of traditional and contemporary Irish music, as well as various other genres from around the world. There are also workshops, masterclasses, and talks on various aspects of Irish music and culture.

In addition to the music, the Cork Folk Festival also features a wide range of traditional Irish food and drink, as well as arts and crafts stalls. There is also a children’s program with workshops, games, and activities specifically for kids.

The Galway Arts Festival

The Galway Arts Festival is an annual arts festival that takes place in Galway, Ireland. The festival was founded in 1978 and takes place every July. The festival showcases a wide range of art forms including music, dance, visual arts, comedy, theatre, and more. The Galway Arts Festival is one of the largest and most popular Irish folk music festivals.

The Wexford Opera Festival

The Wexford Opera Festival is one of the most prestigious opera festivals in the world. The festival takes place in the town of Wexford in southeast Ireland. It was founded in 1951 by Tom Walsh and has been held every October since then.

The festival attracts visitors from all over the world, and it is not uncommon for operas to be performed in languages other than English. In recent years, the festival has begun to commission new works, and many of these have gone on to be performed at other major opera houses around the world.

If you’re interested in attending the Wexford Opera Festival, there are a few things you should know. First, tickets can be quite expensive. However, there are usually a limited number of cheaper tickets available for each performance. It’s also worth noting that accommodation in Wexford can be very difficult to find during the festival period, so it’s advisable to book well in advance.