An Inside Look at Irish Music

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Ireland

The history of Irish music has been influenced by the political fluctuation within the country. Traditional music is handed down from generation to generation. Today, Irish music is a living tradition with variations of many musicians. Irish folk music is the music and song in the national heritage. Although it is not only about the Irish traditional music, but it is also about the folk, rock, punk and other genres of music in Ireland. Irish music is so important to our culture because Irish songs tell a story through songs and make them more appealing to the listeners.3 Some poplar instruments in Ireland are the harp, flute, tin whistle, fiddle, uilleann pipes, and bodhrán (Irish drum).1

The most popular musical instrument in Ireland is the harp. The harp, an ancient folk instrument, has a beautiful delicate sound when played. Harps are popular all around the world and relate back to the ancient Irish history and folklore tales of mystical stories. Harps today are not a rare instrument in Ireland as they are the national symbol. The Irish harp can create diverse sounds such as a romantic, dramatic, or delighted mood. The harp is also a popular instrument to be played at weddings and funerals and it takes pride in many Irish hearts.2

The Irish flute produces high notes and has been a fixture in Irish music for centuries. Flutes were originally made out of bones. People simply carved holes into the bones to produce the different sounds of the notes. The standard classical flute dates back to the 19th century. Classical flutes were first used to play Irish traditional music.5 Irish people prefer to use the older wooden style flutes because of the mellower sound it produces. The types of flutes used today are ones with si...

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... the harp, fiddle, and the flute were instruments that I knew and I recently learned about the uilleann pipes in my comparative nonwestern cultures music class not too long ago. I had never heard of the uilleann or highland pipes until class. I had never heard of the bodhrán before so research was helpful for sufficient information on that instrument. Ireland’s instruments are popularly played around the world. Music has always been a large part in Ireland’s culture and continues to be today.1

Works Cited Page

1) “Music Culture in Ireland.” YourIrish. 2012. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.

2) “Traditional Irish Musical Instruments.” YourIrish. 2012. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.

3) “Irish Culture, Music.” VisitIreland. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.

4) “The Irish Tin Whistle.” Tradschool. 12 May 2011. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.

5) “The Irish Wooden Flute.” Tradschool. 26 Nov. 2011. Web. 21 Apr, 2014.

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