Young Piping Student
A young student in Peter Browne's piping class, Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare.
Copyright Tony KearnsYoung Piping Student
Copyright Tony Kearns
Copyright Tony Kearns
Young Piping Student
A young student in Peter Browne's piping class, Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare.
Copyright Tony Kearns
There are a small number of instruments in traditional Irish music. Some of them have a very long history in Ireland, such as the harp. During the 18th and 19th centuries, pipes and the fiddle became popular instruments. It is from these instruments that most of the Irish dance music was created. The harp was not usually used for dance music.
The flute, whistle, accordion and concertina are also important in Irish music.
Bodhrán
Unidentified bodhrán player at Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare. The bodhrán is a single sided drum beaten with the knuckles or with a stick. It was included in the music of Seán Ó Riada in his ensembles in the 1960s.
Copyright Tony KearnsBodhrán
Copyright Tony Kearns
Copyright Tony Kearns
Bodhrán
Unidentified bodhrán player at Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare. The bodhrán is a single sided drum beaten with the knuckles or with a stick. It was included in the music of Seán Ó Riada in his ensembles in the 1960s.
Copyright Tony Kearns
During the 20th century, more instruments were introduced to Irish music. For example, the guitar and the bouzouki are often played with the other instruments in Irish music sessions.
During the 1960s, Seán Ó Riada began to experiment with playing the bodhrán in traditional Irish music. Before this, drums had not usually been used. However, Ó Riada's bodhrán playing became very popular. Many new styles of playing the bodhrán have since developed.