Like many folk and traditional songs around the world, such music is most commonly passed on from generation to generation through oral means and performing. Pieces of music are commonly altered and changed by the performer according to their skills and taste, with many variations of a single irish tune evident across the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The introduction to the fiddle (violin), since it appeared on the music scene in Europe in the 17th century, was a significant addition to the common irish music ensemble. The conventional traditional irish music ensemble consists of:

 

The Fiddle:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madola:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flute or Irish pipe:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accordian:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images retrieved from: http://www.folksociety.org/2009_10/Dervish/dervishbios.shtml

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch the following music video of a popular traditional Irish band

'Dervish'

performing

"The Coolea Jigs"

who use the instruments listed above, 

and answer the questions accordingly in your portfolios. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It nearly impossible to explore the realm of traditional Irish music without understanding the significance of Irish dancing in conjuction with music. The origins of Irish Dancing remain unclear, with various stories explaning where the style came from. Some tales talk of old pagan dances being adopted by the Catholic population in Ireland during the 5th century. Other stories recal various 'Dancing Masters' who struck curiosity and acclaim amongst the Irish country folk, teaching towns and parishes to dance using only the feet. Other theories state that the Irish dancing style of using only the feet, with arms only by their side, during the Brittish occupation of Ireland. During this time, the Brittish tried to restrict the Irish engaging with any aspects of their culture include use of native language (Gaelic), music and dance. Stories suggest that when the Brittish officers walked past windows inspecting homes at night, the Irish would get away with such a style of dancing as the officers couldn't see their feet. 

 

(http://www.firepowr.com/imusic.html)

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/irish/articles/view/741/english/)

(http://www.diddlyi.com/2013/07/4-theories-on-why-irish-dancers-dont-move-their-arms/)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are various types and styles of Irish Dancing, altered and changed depending on foreign cultural influences, targeted audiences and levels of skills and limitaitons. The two main types are hardshoe and soft shoe dances. You will notice in the image above, the heeled black shoes are 'hard shoes'. The sound that these shoes make is what the 'Bones' (percussive instrument) is trying to represent in the video of the Irish band above. 

 

However the three main dances (the accompanying music styles) you will be looking at are:

• the 'Reel'

• the 'Jig'

• the 'Hornpipe'

 

Click on the following website and read about some of the differences between these dances. There are accompanying scores and audios for you to hear the differences as well. 

—

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/music_dance/group_dance2.shtml

 

Make notes on each style and record these notes in your portfolios.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Based on what you have read, heard and explored, you will now watch three Irish Dancing videos.

Each video is either a Reel, Jig, or Hornpipe.

 

Using the notes you have written, work out as a group what each dance is, and state in your portfolios WHY you have made this decision....

 

Video 1: (only watch up to 2.25)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video 2:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video 3: