An Introduction to Irish Music with Tradschool

Tradschool« A Brief Introduction to Irish Traditional Music »

● The Music● Transmission● Context● Tradition vs Innovation

(C) 2009 www.tradschool.com

The Music

● Dance music, orally transmitted● Dance context: Rythm & Tempo!!● History : Individual performance● Today: Group & Session Context● Social Function


Tunes

● Reels : 4/4 Time, Fast, Technical● Jigs : 6/8 Time, Fast● Reels & jigs : 2-beats!● Hornpipes : 4/4, « bouncy » rythm● Polkas : 2/4, Kerry & Cork● Slides : 12/8, Kerry & Cork● Others: Set dances, Mazurkas...


Distribution of tunes

1 Reels : most common, session & recorded music

2 Jigs

3 Hornpipes, others...


Repertoire

● Huge traditional repertoire● O'Neill : 1000 + standards● Changes in repertoire: outside influences


Style & Ornamentation

● Styles: regional vs personal● Sligo: fast, rythmic pulse, ornamented, powerful● Clare: melodic, slower, less ornaments, relaxed● Roscommon: rythmic, flute● Donegal: fast & dynamic, Scottish influence,

fiddle● Kerry: Slides & polkas, accordion


Matt Molloy

● North Roscommon / Sligo● Irish flute● Complex technical style, Sligo / Roscommon, ● Fast, ornamentations, energy● Influence of pipes● Great influence on future generations● Critics: too much influence...? Molloy clones!


Micho Russell

● 1915-1944● Doolin Co Clare● Flute & whistle● Simple, sparse, lilting style● Link between past & present; musical repertoire &

folklore


Transmission of the music

● Oral transmission: teachers, sessions, informal groupings

● Written transmission: sheet music & « bones » of tune

● History of both oral & written transmission● Errors in transmission lead to changes in

repertoire; versions of tunes


Framework of the music

● Simple, highly-organised folk music● Question & Response structure● Organised into 2- & 4- bar « bits »● Similarity of tunes aids transmission; similar

tropes returning throughout repertoire● « Bathing » in repertoire; the more you learn, the

more you learn!


Sources of « Irish » Music

● Reels : Scotland● Jigs : England● Polkas : Europe● Hornpipes : England, europe● Flute : England● Fiddle : Europe● Accordion : Europe● Bouzouki : Greece...


Liberty in Performing

● Experience● Personal taste● « Less is more » vs « More is more »● Inclusion vs exclusion


Perception of music among musicians

● Little tendency to intellectualise● « That's a nice tune, where did you get it? »● Aesthetics & context● Technical aspects not formalised● Learning by imitation rather than explanation


Tradition vs Innovation 1

● The Traditionalists● Tradition « in danger »● Local styles being lost● Styles being « homogenised »● « Global music » without meaning


Tradition vs Innovation 2

● The « Innovators »● Carrying on a tradition of innovation● Using relevant influences● Communication with styles already connected

with ITM


Innovating « from inside »

● Innovating « from exterior »● Adding drums, bass, guitars « on top of »

traditional melody; S. Shannon...● Innovating « from interior »● Matt Molloy : combination of styles, blue notes● McGoldrick : accomplished traditional performer;

« combines »outside influences● Persinal Taste!!!!


To Conclude...

● Simple system, simple music...● Simple doesn't mean easy!● The more you look, the more you learn...● The more you listen, the more you learn...● The more you play, the more you learn...● The more you learn, the more you learn!● Not every question has an answer!● You never stop learning...


An Introduction to Irish Music with Tradschool

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