Traditional Irish music is one of the oldest among all the music types all over the globe. Compared to the popular music we have these days; Irish music consists of musical instruments fairly different from the usual ones we hear. If you’re living or having a tour in Ireland and other Celtic countries, you could definitely hear Irish music almost everywhere – from the streets to cosy pubs. Irish music features a relaxing and welcoming melody that it feels so light to listen to.
If you’re interested in Irish music and want to learn playing it, you should first know about the different Irish musical instruments involved in every piece. You don’t need to learn all of them. Just choose which one appeals to your interest the most and start practicing. To help you choose, here are the most popular traditional Irish musical instruments you could try out.
Bodhran
The bodhran is a percussion instrument that serves as the heartbeat of every Irish musical piece. It is small, lightweight, and is played only by one hand. To play it, you need to beat the instrument with the beater according to the beat that you should follow.
Although it is relatively easy to play among all the Irish instruments, one still needs a lot of practice to achieve that smooth flowing beat. To start up, you need to find the right bodhran for your needs. Check out this collection of Melbourne Music Centre drums to find the perfect bodhran you need.
Uilleann Pipes
If you’re interested in creating melody using a wind instrument, the uilleann pipe is one you should consider. Its name simply means ‘pipes of the elbow’ because it is played by pumping air into the bellows. Uilleann pipes produce a really loud sound and is used in old times for battle march. In contrary with the bodhran, uilleann pipe is considered as the hardest Irish instrument to learn. It requires many years of learning, practice and playing before you could achieve that pro level of playing.
Celtic Harp
For those who love stringed instruments, the Celtic harp is a great option. It is one of Ireland’s most noteworthy symbols which had gained its special place in the history of Ireland as well as its traditional music. You can choose from a wide variety of sizes, shapes and sound when buying a harp. Just like the uilleann pipes, it also takes much time to master it and requires a lot of patience. However, all your efforts will be worth it once you’ve learned how to play because of its relaxing, fairy-tale sound that soothes the soul.
Through the years, traditional Irish music has evolved a lot including the instruments used in it. While traditional musical instruments are still present, it is now influenced by other music types – incorporating newer instruments into the scene. If Irish music is really dear into your heart, learning to play a traditional instrument not only gives a sense of fulfilment but also gives you more opportunities to enjoy and mingle with other people having similar interests.
