HARP:
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One
of he oldest of instruments in Irish music. Generaly has 37
strings of which were wire, then late in the 1800's replaced with gut,
then later with nylon .
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Bodhrán
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The
bodhrán, another one the oldest instruments, is the heartbeat of
Irish
music. This ancient
framedrum is traditionally made with a wooden body and a goat-skin
head,
and is played with a double-headed stick called a cipín, tipper,
or beater.
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Concertina
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The
Concertina is said to have been introduced into Irieland aorund 1829,
very shortly after its invention, from England. Instead of "keys"
as on the Accordion, this instrument has buttons on either end of the
bellows. |
Button Box
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The button
box is basically an accordion with buttons instead of the piano style
keys.
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Tenor Banjo
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The
banjo, when itroduced by American players was a 5 string, no fret,
backless banjo in the mid to late 1800's. Later in the turn of
the 19th to 20th century is when it became popular. It soon
became a 4 string banjo with a shorter scale of 23", and even
21". The tuning then was CGda, later changing to the "Irish"
tuning of GDae one octave below the fiddle and mandolin. |
Cittern
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A
very common instrument throughout Europe, and later became a staple in
Irish music. Originally had 4 strings, now can be found with 8 or
10 strings, each pair being tuned in octaves as would be a 12 string
guitar. |
Fiddle
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I guess this instrument needs no introduction.
The fiddle
became a mainstay in Irish folk music and still holds that honor today.
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Uilleann
Pipes
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The
uilleann pipes are generally thought to have evolved from the old
Irish war-pipes (which were somewhat similar to the Scottish pipes)
about the beginning of the 18th century. Their distinguishing
characteristics are: a bag filled by a bellows, not a blow pipe; a
chanter or melody pipe which gives a two-octave range; and the addition
of regulators which can be used for accompanying the melody. Pronounced
in "English" as 'illyun'
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Mandolin
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The Irish mandolin is tuned to
GDae, similar to the fiddle and tenor banjo. The unique
difference between this mandolin and the ones we are used to seeing, be
they either f style or A style, is the back is flat, and actually has
more of a "pear" shape to it.
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Guitar
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As you can see there is
no real Irish guitar. Any guitar can be used in the playing of
Irish music. The most common is acoustic though. there is a
tuning that is used which is DADGAD which allow for moveable chords and
still retaining open strings as well, giving the drone effect that is
common in Irish & Scottis music.
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Tin
Whistle
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The Tin Whishtle is
somewhat of an easier instrument to learn,and is inexpesive. The
usual whistle played is tuned to the key of D, but there are others
keys as well. They also come in differing sizes such as the Low
Whistle beiring larger and has a lower tone.
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Flute
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The vast majority of
traditional Irish flute players use a wooden, simple-system flute,
which seems to have a more mellow,
haunting, and robust sound. Actually any flute, such as the well
known orchestral C flute is played as well.
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