Irish flute has long been a beloved instrument in traditional Irish music. With its exquisite and melodious sound, its distinct Celtic flute sets Celtic music apart from other genres.
Its versatility also extends to accompanying various dance tunes and adding depth and dimension to Celtic orchestras.
Harp
The harp is one of the world’s oldest musical instruments, dating back at least 3500 BCE. Today it remains a highly-preferred instrument throughout Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.
It is an accessible instrument and has long been part of Irish folk music traditions, playing both solo or with a band.
In the 20th century, traditional Irish music was revitalized through Paddy Killoran’s Pride of Erin Orchestra and Derek Bell, among others. Today it remains an integral component of Irish culture and an excellent choice for wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours or other special events.
Its chromatic nature enables it to be played in any key, while also serving as an excellent way of playing accidentals and modulations. Furthermore, pedals allow it to be raised or lowered for tuning changes as well as learning melodies of songs.
Tin Whistle
The Tin Whistle (commonly referred to as Penny Whistle) is one of the most frequently played folk instruments in Irish music and was invented by Robert Clarke during the mid 1800’s.
Today’s modern tin whistles are typically constructed of brass or nickel-plated brass with plastic fipples (mouthpiece) and six finger holes – but this timeless instrument still remains popular among traditional musicians of various genres worldwide.
Tin whistle is an ideal beginner instrument, making an engaging addition to a musician’s collection. However, learning how to play it takes practice and time.
Uilleann Pipes
Uilleann pipes, often associated with Irish music, are an indoor version of Scottish bagpipes that tend to be quieter.
Boxwood, ebony, acacia and African black wood are among the many materials used in creating these instruments, popular among trad music bands, buskers and Irish musicians alike.
As is typical with bagpipes, uilleann pipes feature an eight-finger hole chanter. When sealed off at the bottom and their pressure increased, staccato notes can be produced as can also a second octave being achieved.
Flute
The flute is an ancient instrument that has long been part of Irish musical culture. This versatile yet melodic instrument can be played by beginners as well as experienced flutists alike.
Learning to play the flute requires beginning with an excellent quality instrument and mastering how to properly blow into it.
Experiment with different sounds and how you breathe into the flute to maximize its use, and to gain an understanding of what type of sounds it produces. This will enable you to get the best performance out of it and understand its full capabilities.
Flutes have long been an integral part of Irish musical culture and the flute remains one of its primary instruments today. Simple yet majestic, flutes have helped shape Irish musical culture for centuries.
Bodhran
The Bodhran (pronounced bow ron) is the cornerstone of traditional Irish music and has been in use since 17th-century Britain; however, its prominence soared during the 1960s trad sessions as it gained widespread acceptance as an essential percussion instrument.
Frame drums feature adjustable tuners within their wood frames and may include cross bars running along their open ends for ease of playback.
There are various styles of bodhran playing. One such style involves using one’s hand as an instrument and its rhythm through using knuckles as playing instruments.
Kerry style two sided stick playing is most frequently utilized; this technique involves striking the drum with either one end of a stick or the knuckles in an up and down motion to produce this unique style of music.
