CELTIC MUSIC

What is it? Celtic music is defined as music that originates from the countries of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The people who live in these locations are known as Celts, which is how the music became known as Celtic music. Celtic music is best described as a type of folk music with a distinctive music and lyrics. Today Celtic music is played and heard not only in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, but also on a worldwide stage.

Main characteristics and instruments The sounds of Celtic music are both entrancing and enlivening. Celtic music can be a haunting melody, a storytelling accompaniment, or a lively dance tune. Songs may be sung in English, Irish, or Gaelic. Celtic musical instruments tend to be simple and portable, so that the party can go anywhere, at any time.

Some of the common instruments heard in Celtic music include violin, lute, flute, bagpipe, harp and several other commonly heard instruments. While Celtic music covers various types of music, it is popular for dancing as well as having music sung as a ballad. Celtic music tends to be as varied as a rousing dance tune or as tender as a song about a mother’s love. THE HARP Probably most well-known, globally, because of its placement in the logo of the Irish Guinness Stout! The Celtic Harp is also the symbol of Ireland. It’s an ancient musical instrument, used by musicians for thousands of years to entertain and enhance their stories.

TIN WHISTLE FIDDLE PIPES BODHRAN

BONES FLUTE IRISH BOUZOUKI ACCORDION

Who were the Celts? The people known as the Celts are thought to have originated in central Europe, to the east of the Rhine in the areas now part of southern Germany, Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. From around 3,400 years ago, these proto-Celtic peoples expanded across the Continent, and eventually inhabited a large portion of central, western, and northwestern Europe.

During the Classical period of Greece and Rome, Celtic culture was predominant to the north of the Alps. Even today, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Cornwall, Cumbria and Brittany are basically Celtic in character.