Instruments of Traditional Irish Music

Fiddle  The fiddle is another name for the violin  It is one of the most important instruments in Irish music.

Bagpipes  The sound is made when air blows through a reed (a thin, small piece of wood)  Irish bagpipes are different because you don’t blow into them. You push air into them by moving your arm on the bellows.  The steady sound in the background is called a drone.

Harp  The Irish harp is small enough for a person to set it on their lap to play.  The harp is a national symbol of Ireland.  It is the oldest Irish instrument.

Accordion  The sound is made by air blowing through strips of thin metal (metal reeds) inside the instrument.  To play it you close and open the bellows to make the air and push the buttons to make different notes

Bodhran  You can make different sounds on the drum by putting your hand in different spots while you play it with the stick.  It was first used during battles for the Irish army to march to.

Tin Whistle  The tin whistle is just a metal recorder with six holes.

Bouzouki  A type of guitar with only four strings  It was brought to Ireland from Greece.  It is used to play along with Irish jigs and reels.

Reels and Jigs  Reels and jigs are the names of Irish step dances.