Information on Irish & Celtic Music
Irish and Celtic music is a vague category that includes much of the music performed in Ireland. This style of music is known for its festive ballads and unique storytelling of Irish and Celtic culture and tradition, while incorporating numerous instruments and powerful vocals.
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Irish vs. Celtic Music
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The Celts have been in Ireland since the sixth century B.C. They were a group of people who lived in Ireland, Scotland, England and northern Spain. Variations of the Celtic language are spoken by each of these groups.
All Irish music is influence by Celtic culture since it has been present in Ireland for such a long time. However, all Celtic music is not Irish.
"Quite frankly, 'Celtic music' is a marketing term," writes June Skinner Sawyers, author of "Celtic Music: A Complete Guide." "It includes both songs and music--traditional and contemporary--of the English-speaking Irish and Scots and their Celtic cousins as well as the Celtic language-speaking Gaels... and their Celtic cousins."
Facts
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Most renowned Irish and Celtic music is from the 18th and 19th centuries. In Irish ballads, vocal scoring typically includes a wide note range, making the vocal lines a bit demanding at times. Thus, Irish music usually features particularly talented vocalists.
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Instruments
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Irish and Celtic music traditionally includes a wide array of musical instruments. Instruments such as the banjo, bagpipes, harp, keyboard, flute, fiddle (or violin) and guitar are incorporated to give the music a rich sound.
Musical Style
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Over the past two centuries, Irish and Celtic music have assimilated many European musical styles. Throughout this evolution, Irish songwriters and musicians have continued to give the music unique regional styles as well. Lelia Ruckenstein and James A. O'Malley, authors of "Everything Irish: The History, Literature, Art, Music, People, and Places of Ireland, From A-Z," write: "The oldest forms of traditional music are the slow airs and marches, some dating to the sixteenth century. These tunes, after entering Irish music, acquired various Irish regional accents and styles."
Famous Irish Songs
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Irish music has played a consistent role in American music since the its inception. Many traditional Irish songs are well-known in the United States. Among the most famous are festive drinking songs. Songs such as "Whiskey in the Jar," "Danny Boy," "The Wild Rover," "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" and "An Irish Lullaby" are widely known and performed in bars and pubs.
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References
- Photo Credit concert de violon image by iMAGINE from Fotolia.com
