Switching from Classical Music to Traditional Irish Music – Everything You Need to Know Has traditional Irish music ever piqued your interest? Are you ready to bring your classical training to an exciting new arena? You’re in the perfect place to start that journey. The transition of switching from classical to traditional Irish music may seem challenging, filled with myths and misconceptions about the compatibility of classical training with traditional music. Rest assured, those myths are about to be dispelled. This guide is here to make your journey from classical to traditional Irish music ..read more

Why You Need To Own a Jeffries Concertina and How You Can Own One for 1/6th of the Price It was the summer of 1895 in London. In a humble workshop, Charles Jeffries was meticulously crafting a concertina, each note tuned to perfection, every detail attended to with an artist’s eye. This was to be a Jeffries Concertina, the musical masterpiece that would stand the test of time and become the most sought after concertina in history. Fast forward to today, and the allure of the Jeffries Concertina hasn’t faded. Top musicians covet it, and beginners dream of it. It has an enchanting sweet tone, su ..read more

Every musician has a story, and part of that story is finding the right instrument that resonates with their soul. If you’re an intermediate concertina player, your journey to mastery might be filled with uncertainty, especially when graduating from a beginner’s instrument. Fear not, for we’ve put together a list of the top five concertinas under $2,500, which can serve as your reliable companion on this exciting journey. At this stage of their playing, a concertina player is only as good as their instrument. That’s why it’s important to choose the right one. There’s no shortage of beautiful i ..read more

In the rolling hills of Appalachia, a unique stringed instrument was born—The Mountain Dulcimer. Are you ready to embark on an enchanting musical journey and discover its beautiful, melodic sounds? Join me as I explore its history, connection to traditional Irish music, and learn to play it in the mesmerising Irish style. Say goodbye to routine and embrace the fascinating world of Irish tunes with your dulcimer! In this post, I’ll share its captivating journey and teach you how to master this charming instrument, bringing the magic of Irish tunes to life. So what are you waiting for! Let’s div ..read more

As a lover and player of traditional Irish music, I have had the pleasure of discovering many talented musicians over the (many) years. However, in more recent times, I’ve been particularly taken with the work of the award-winning Daoirí Farrell. This young singer and bouzouki player from Dublin has been making waves in the traditional music scene and I thought it was time to introduce you to him properly! Farrell’s music is a masterful blend of traditional Irish and contemporary folk styles, with a voice that is both haunting yet powerful. He calls to mind the inimitable Andy Irvine, and like ..read more

While there are not a whole lot of definitive accounts of St Valentine’s life in the 3rd century AD, it is believed that on February 14 278 AD, Valentine was beaten with clubs and then executed by beheading for defying a marriage and engagement ban put in place by Roman Emperor Claudius II. Valentine, working as a Christian priest, had continued to marry couples in private in defiance of the emperor and paid for it with his life. St Valentine’s Irish Resting Place Interior of Whitefriar Street Church What you may not already know though, is that the St Valentine Story takes an Irish turn, all ..read more

In the third instalment of my Top Tips for Trad Musicians series, I want to address an issue I mentioned briefly in my previous article that affects a surprising number of musicians. Nerves. Or, more importantly, how to overcome them. I’ve encountered many people over the years whose nerves have simply gotten the better of them whenever it came time to perform in public – skilled musicians whose technical abilities were up to scratch, but whose stage fright prevented them from achieving the performance standard they were capable of. Now obviously performance isn’t for everyone, but it is a sha ..read more

In the second offering from my Top Tips for Trad Musicians series we’re going to explore the idea of developing good habits as musicians. Of course, the best habit – the one that will most impact your playing, and the one I’m most frequently asked about – is a good practice routine. That’s not the only good behaviour we musicians need to establish however. Keep reading to explore some of the ways outside of picking up your instrument in which you can develop your musicianship.  Developing an Effective Practice Routine One of the best investments you can make in your music making is e ..read more

As you well know, Traditional Irish Music is an aural tradition that has long been passed on from each generation to the next by ear. If you go to any Irish music session you’ll see musicians playing together with not a sheet of music in sight. Trad musicians commonly learn tunes by listening to a piece played several times over, and simply repeating the melody as they hear it. Of course this skill takes time to develop, and it helps if you’ve been immersed in the tradition for some time. As a result, one of the most frequent questions I’m asked by newcomers to the world of Irish folk music is ..read more

Are you looking for some Christmas gift ideas for the musician in your life? I’m firmly of the opinion that there’s no better way to put a smile on someone’s face than to give them the gift of music. So, in order to help you find the perfect gift for that special someone – be they a total beginner or a master of their craft – I’ve put together this list of my favourite Irish music gifts for Christmas 2022. I’ve included options for all ages, abilities and budgets. So if someone in your life lives and breathes music or you want them to, why not surprise them with one of my suggestions below? ST ..read more