The following instruments are fully welcome and appropriate at any session
of traditional Irish music. There are many more welcome and of course their is nothing wrong with a well sung song or ballad
every now and then.
The Bodhrán
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The Irish word 'Bodhar' means deaf or haunting. The Bodhrán began as
a skin tray used for drawing turf (peat) on the bogs. It stirs the spirit when played with the "tipper" or beater hitting
the skin in a racing style while a hand presses the back of the skin to vary the tone.
The skins are treated in hydrated lime mixed with ingredients that are
the closely guarded secret of every Bodhrán Maker.
They are soaked for 7-10 days in a solution of lime sulfide that softens
the skin, de-hairs it and dissolves the fatty tissue. Sometimes the skin is buried in manure. It is finally stretched under
tension onto a Birch frame. It is also glued on - this is important for Bodhráns being sent abroad. It thus cannot "rip off"
at the tack - traditionally the weakest part of the Bodhrán - when exposed to excess heat. The skin is stretched tight when
new to give room for residual stretch.
In the hands of a skilled player the Bodhrán can be a subtle and exciting
instrument - striking the skin in a variety of ways, one hand tucked in behind the skin, pressing and moving to vary the color
and intensity of the sound. The side of the beater is also used to good effect on the wooden rim. Genuine Goatskin is a natural
'live' material, expands and contracts slightly with changing temperatures, it has an infinite variety of subtle 'veining'
and it's rich luster becomes more beautiful with age. |
Whistles and flutes
Whistles and flutes fall into the same category of instruments because
they have the same fingering. In general, it is called a whistle if you put the mouthpiece into your mouth to blow, and it
is a flute if you blow across a hole. This means that the cheapest penny whistle is a close relative to the most expensive
concert flute.
The Whistles
The Clarke penny is made of tin, with black and
gold paint, and a wooden mouthpiece.
Clarke was the first company to produce these "tin whistles" commercially;
they founded their company in 1843. These instruments were called penny whistles because when itinerant musicians played them
on the street, people would give them a penny. Penny whistles have become a very important part of the Irish music scene,
and it's amazing how great they sound in the hands of an expert.
Low Whistle
The low whistle is basically a very large penny whistle; it is also
called a concert whistle.
Uilleann Bagpipes
The uilleann (pronounced ill'-in) pipes are Irish bagpipes. The most obvious difference between them
and the great Highland bagpipes of Scotland is that the uilleann pipes are not blown with the mouth; air is pumped into the
bag by means of an elbow bellows. Also, uilleann pipes are not as loud. However, there are other special features of uilleann
pipes.Those addicted to the uilleann pipes describe them as beautiful, complex,
ancient, mysterious, and even a hive of honeyed sound. Although uilleann pipes have been around since the early
1600's, their revival in modern times began in the 1960's with a musical group called The Chieftains.
It should be understood that uilleann pipes are much more difficult to
play than standard Scottish pipes, and they are also a great deal more expensive.
There are three parts to a full set of uilleann pipes:
Bellows and chanter, sometimes called a starter or practice
set. The chanter has a range of two full octaves, unlike Scottish pipes, which have only nine notes; it has a double reed.
The uilleann chanter plays a standard diatonic scale in key of D or G. Sometimes this basic set is used to play melody, in
the same way that a clarinet or oboe might be used
The drones. There are three drones: tenor, baritone
and bass, each with a single reed.
The regulators. There are three regulators: tenor, baritone
and bass, each with a double reed. Regulators, which are not found on Scottish pipes at all, are pipes with keys that
play notes in accompaniment to the chanter; a full set of regulators has thirteen keyed notes. The keys are played by leaning
your wrist on them. The regulators are the hardest part of uilleann pipes.
This means that a set of uilleann pipes plays the tune, has drones playing,
and also accompanies itself with other notes all at the same time. The piper therefore has to pump the bellows with his elbow
while he plays the chanter with both hands and leans his wrist on the keys of the regulators. To the uninitiated, it must
seem that an uilleann piper has to have three hands to do it all or preferably four; the good players make this all look very
easy.
Bouzouki
So you thought the bouzouki was a Greek musical instrument? Well, you're right, it was. However, the Irish have discovered
that the bouzouki really works well in traditional music, and since the first introduction of this instrument in the 1960's,
they have been using it instead of the guitar in their sessions. The Greeks had better watch out, because the Irish are stealing
their instrument. It may not be long before everyone thinks bouzouki is an Irish word. 
