Are you searching for your very first concertina? If so, you've come to the right place. Buying a concertina can be an intimidating task, especially if you’re new to playing Irish music. The good news is there's a concertina out there for everyone, to suit every budget, and I'm here to help you find it. So, whether you’re looking for a basic beginner model to get you started on your musical journey or a more advanced concertina that will accompany you through every stage, I'm here to help...
While it may seem like somewhat of a contradiction, there's no shortage of great composers within the world of traditional Irish music. It's a tough line to walk, crafting melodies that fit within the confines of the tradition, heralding the old tunes that have come before, while still being new and different enough to excite the listener and player. I've already shared with you some of my favourite tunes by the great Irish-American fiddle player, Liz Caroll. Today I thought it was high time ...
Irish music is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation, shared amongst friends and strangers alike, their love of the music uniting them in one singular purpose to preserve this rich musical heritage. Musical families however were once the primary source of musical transmission, passing on the music through unbroken traditions of music making. It's long been a common misconception that to be an exceptional traditional Irish musician you must come from one of these...
Irish music accompaniment is, in my humble opinion an undervalued skill. It can make or break a music ensemble. A good accompanist will enhance the playing of others, adding to the musicality of the performance, while a bad accompanist... Well, I'm sure we've all encountered one at one stage or another. The overly loud bodhrán player. The four chord guitar wonder. The clueless keys player. These are just a few of the characters you don't want to end up sitting beside at an Irish music session...
The tin whistle is one of the most popular traditional Irish musical instruments in the world. This is due in large part to its immense playability. This simple instrument is deceptively versatile and the perfect starter instrument for anyone looking to dip their toe into the waters of traditional Irish music for the first time. Lightweight and affordable, the tin whistle is one of the most accessible traditional Irish musical instruments out there. If you're looking to pick up a new instrument...
While the bodhrán was originally (and still can be) played by hand, modern Irish bodhrán playing favours the use of the bodhrán beater - also known as a tipper, stick or cipín. The increasing popularity of the modern Irish bodhrán playing style has seen a huge increase in the variety of bodhrán beaters available. Like bodhráns, beaters now come in all shapes and sizes, with different beaters producing different sounds. So where do you start if you're in the market for a new bodhr...
Piano accordions are contentious instruments. They're like the marmite of the traditional music world. People seem to either love them or hate them. To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure where this bad reputation originated. What I do know however, is that in the right hands, the piano accordion is an absolute joy to listen to! There's no shortage of great players around today, carrying the mantle for this oft-maligned instrument. That's why I've put together this celebration of three of my favo...
Electric violins have always been controversial instruments. What many don’t realise however is just how versatile they really are. These exciting instruments offer a huge range of options that simply aren’t available on an acoustic instrument. If you want to experiment with sounds, explore new genres and have fun with loop pedals and different effects, then the electric violin is definitely the right choice for you. Your heart may lie with traditional Irish music but perhaps you’re tempte...
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