IRISH FOLK MUSIC

There are many different traditional Irish instruments such as the Fiddle, Tin Whistle, Flute, Harp & Uilleann Pipes. These are the few the presentation will focus on.

FIDDLE

The fiddle is very similar to a violin in the orchestra. It is one of the oldest Irish instruments dating back to the 7th century. An earlier instruments also called the fiddle was used in Renaissance times before the Irish version.

TIN WHISTLE

The tin whistle is another old Irish instrument dating back to the 12th century. The 12th century whistles were made from bone different to the ones used today that date back to the 19th century.

FLUTE

The Irish flute plays an important role in Irish music dating back to the 19th century. The currently used Irish flute was made in Europe dating back to the 18th century, it is made of wood and has to 'octaves.'

HARP

The harp is the oldest Irish instrument known. The old harp had metal strings that you played with your fingernails. Modern harps are made of wood and have nylon strings and are common in solos performances.

UILLEANN PIPES

The uilleann pipes date back to the 17th century, they are called uilleann pipes because uilleann is Irish for elbow and you use your elbow to squeeze the pipes creating the sound. When the English took over they banned an earlier form of pipes called the War pipes. The Scottish bag pipes are loud and are played outside where as the uilleann pipes are quieter and were manly played inside.

OCTAVES

• Octaves are Eight notes played together with no pause in between them and two notes with one that have twice or half the vibration of the other one.