The harp is the oldest instrument within the Irish music tradition and has been played in Ireland for over a thousand years. This iconic instrument serves as the national emblem of Ireland, and in 2019 it was inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, recognising its unique place in Irish music and cultural life. Today the Irish harp is played by musicians all over the world. At the helm of this harping revolution is 'the most significant harper of her generation', Laoise Ke...
There's no better way to put a smile on someone's face than to give them the gift of music. That's why, to help you find the perfect gift for that special someone, I've put together this list of my favourite musical Christmas gifts. So if someone in your life has been nice this year (or even if they've been naughty - I'm not here to judge) why not reward them with one of my suggestions below. There are gift ideas to suit all ages and abilities, as well as all budgets. Let's celebrate Christmas...
Charlie Lennon is one of the most prolific composers within the Irish music tradition and his contribution to the world of Irish music has been invaluable. His music has been recorded by artists such as De Dannan, Mick O' Connor, Liam O’Flynn, Frankie Gavin, Kevin Burke, Sharon Shannon and Altan, to name but a few. In 2006 his remarkable contribution was rightly celebrated when he was awarded the prestigious TG4 Composer of the Year Gradam Ceoil. Early Years Charlie was born into a mus...
Published: October 29th, 2021 | Updated January 12th 2022 Sourcing an Instrument One particularly difficult aspect of learning the concertina is finding an instrument that is both affordable and easy to play. I was fortunate that I could borrow a good quality Lachenal from an uncle until I sourced my own concertina a couple of years later. Problems with Modern Beginner Concertinas Too often, modern beginner concertinas are very difficult to play due to slow keyboard action and weak bell...
Updated: January 12th 2022 The Irish tin whistle is one of the greatest instruments in the world. Accessible and affordable, this small yet iconic instrument is my go to recommendation for anyone hoping to learn traditional Irish music for the first time. When buying a tin whistle it's easy to make a quality investment right from the start. A good quality beginner whistle will cost far less than say, a beginner concertina or fiddle. In the grand scheme of things, a premium, professional stand...
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...
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