Irish Folk Music Irish Folk Music and Session and Session CultureCulture

Why my interest?Why my interest?

Newfoundland MusicNewfoundland Music

Irish FluteIrish Flute

Social nature of the music Social nature of the music

Can play with other people without Can play with other people without performingperforming

HistoryHistory

2000 years ago, Celts arrived in Ireland and 2000 years ago, Celts arrived in Ireland and brought music with them.brought music with them.

Earliest instrument is Harp – from Egypt. Earliest instrument is Harp – from Egypt. Chieftans empolyed harpists until fleeing in Chieftans empolyed harpists until fleeing in 16071607

First written collection of Irish music appeared in First written collection of Irish music appeared in 17621762

Great Famine of the 1840s – many people died Great Famine of the 1840s – many people died or emigrated, tradition was almost lostor emigrated, tradition was almost lost

2020thth Century Revival Century RevivalFirst recordings of Irish Music were made by First recordings of Irish Music were made by

Diaspora in New York – these were heard Diaspora in New York – these were heard in Ireland and influenced how music was in Ireland and influenced how music was played there from then onward.played there from then onward.

http://youtu.be/39D0J8SzQMAhttp://youtu.be/39D0J8SzQMA

Last 30-40 years have seen a huge Last 30-40 years have seen a huge renaissance, both in Ireland and abroad.renaissance, both in Ireland and abroad.

Musical CharacteristicsMusical Characteristics

Aural Tradition – music is best learned by Aural Tradition – music is best learned by rote (can also use notation or ABC)rote (can also use notation or ABC)http://thesession.org/http://thesession.org/

Ornamentation and variationOrnamentation and variationCommon repertoire – varies with time and Common repertoire – varies with time and

place, with new place, with new TunesTunes written all the time written all the timeCeili bands – for dancing. Session bands Ceili bands – for dancing. Session bands

much of the same music but for listeningmuch of the same music but for listening

Types of TunesTypes of TunesJigsJigs (various types) in compound meter. Only (various types) in compound meter. Only

true “Irish” formtrue “Irish” formReelsReels – Came from Scotland. Simple duple – Came from Scotland. Simple duple

meter. Can be slow or fastmeter. Can be slow or fastHornpipes – Came from England. Like reels with a Hornpipes – Came from England. Like reels with a

dotted/swung rhythm and a particular type of dotted/swung rhythm and a particular type of cadence.cadence.

Slow Airs – free rhythm, heavily ornamentedSlow Airs – free rhythm, heavily ornamentedPolkas and Mazurkas – came from Eastern Polkas and Mazurkas – came from Eastern

EuropeEuropeAlso Slide, Waltz, Barndance, Strathspey, Rag, Also Slide, Waltz, Barndance, Strathspey, Rag,

Ballads (sung)Ballads (sung)

Structure and tonalityStructure and tonalityIrish music is tonal, with regular phrase structures Irish music is tonal, with regular phrase structures

and modal melodies. and modal melodies. Modes: Ionian (Major)Modes: Ionian (Major)

Aeolian (Natural Minor)Aeolian (Natural Minor) Dorian (flat 3 and 7)Dorian (flat 3 and 7) Mixolydian (flat 7)Mixolydian (flat 7)

Keys that easily fit on pipes, whistle and flute are Keys that easily fit on pipes, whistle and flute are popular (G+, D+, C+ and related modes)popular (G+, D+, C+ and related modes)

Tunes have two or more repeated sections (AABB, Tunes have two or more repeated sections (AABB, or AABBCC) and are usually repeated in their or AABBCC) and are usually repeated in their entirety, as least twice.entirety, as least twice.

ABC vs standard notationABC vs standard notation

|:G3 GAB| A3 ABd|edd gdd|edB dBA|GAG GAB|ABA ABd|edd gdd|BAF G3:|B2B d2d|ege dBA|B2B dBG|ABA AGA|BAB d^cd|ege dBd|gfg aga| bgg g3:|

The Kesh Jig

Elements such as rhythmic feel, and ornamentation must be developed by listening and playing with others!

InstrumentsInstrumentsHarpHarpUilleann PipesUilleann PipesFlute/WhistleFlute/WhistleBodhran, Bones Bodhran, Bones FiddleFiddleConcertinaConcertinaOther: Bozouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo, Guitar, Other: Bozouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo, Guitar,

Piano, AcordionPiano, Acordionhttp://www.emmedici.com/journeys/eire/cultura/muhttp://www.emmedici.com/journeys/eire/cultura/musica/estrumenti.htmsica/estrumenti.htmhttp://www.ceolas.org/instruments/http://www.ceolas.org/instruments/

What is a session?What is a session?Tunes, songs, sometimes stories, dancing. Tunes, songs, sometimes stories, dancing.

All by memory/ear.All by memory/ear.

Pub or other public location, private homesPub or other public location, private homes

Open/closed, slow/fastOpen/closed, slow/fast

Anyone can join an open session, but be Anyone can join an open session, but be aware of aware of session etiquettesession etiquette

Where can you go to Where can you go to hear/play this music?hear/play this music?

Irish Pubs and other venues all over the world. Irish Pubs and other venues all over the world. Even Cuba has a Even Cuba has a Celtic music festivalCeltic music festival!!

In In HalifaxHalifax there are weekly sessions at the Lion’s there are weekly sessions at the Lion’s Head Tavern (Wednesday night) and the Old Head Tavern (Wednesday night) and the Old Triangle (Sunday afternoon and Tuesday night) Triangle (Sunday afternoon and Tuesday night) Wolfville and Kentville – Paddys Pub. Wolfville and Kentville – Paddys Pub.

Re-Jigged Festival Re-Jigged Festival each October in Dartmouth.each October in Dartmouth.Boxwood Festival in Lunenburg - JulyBoxwood Festival in Lunenburg - July

Recording artistsRecording artists

The ChieftansThe Chieftans

Bothy Band Bothy Band

Irish Rovers (Canada)Irish Rovers (Canada)

The DublinersThe Dubliners

The Clancy BrothersThe Clancy Brothers

AltanAltan

Want to learn more?Want to learn more?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Irelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Ireland

http://thesession.org/http://thesession.org/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/sessihttp://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/sessions/swf/folkmenu.htmlons/swf/folkmenu.html

http://www.youtube.com/http://www.youtube.com/

http://my.liveireland.com/http://my.liveireland.com/