Changes and Developments in Irish Music

Irish traditional music has undergone significant changes over the past century, evolving from a rural, oral tradition to a genre that thrives in modern contexts. These changes are shaped by two key factors: changes from within the tradition and influences from outside the tradition.

Changes from Within the Tradition

Breakdown of Regional Styles

• In the past, Irish music was regionally distinct, with unique styles in places like Sligo-Leitrim, Clare, East Galway, Donegal, and Sliabh Luachra.
• Factors Contributing to Change:
  • Improved media, communications, transport, and the prosperity of Irish society.
  • Recordings, such as those of Sligo fiddlers Michael Coleman and James Morrison, were sent from America to Ireland as early as the 1920s, influencing other regions.
  • Modern platforms like YouTube and iTunes have accelerated cross-regional influences.

Formation of Organisations

• Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (1952): Formed to promote Irish music and culture.
  • Annual Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, tuition programs, and publications have helped standardise Irish music, replacing regional styles with a national style.

Instrumental Techniques

• Musicians began adopting techniques from other instruments:
  • Flute players like Matt Molloy used the piping technique of the cran.
  • Techniques such as triplet bowing on the fiddle are now imitated by box players and pianists like Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Improved Instrument Quality

• Modern instruments have better materials, springs, and pads, enabling advanced techniques and consistent sound quality.

Dance Halls Act (1936)

• Outlawed unlicensed dances at crossroads or homes, moving events to parish halls.
• This shift led to the rise of céilí bands, which adapted Irish music for larger, louder venues.

Music to Be Listened to

• Historically, traditional music was primarily for dancing.
• Since the 1950s Folk Revival, it has become common to listen to traditional music for its own sake.
  • Pub sessions and concert performances have become popular, especially in cities, later spreading to rural areas.
  • Concert halls like the National Concert Hall and the University of Limerick have hosted traditional music performances.

Irish Traditional Music Archive (1987)

• Established as the first body to collect and preserve books, recordings, and videos for the appreciation and study of Irish music.

Changes from Outside the Tradition

Literacy and Publishing

• Irish music was traditionally oral, but musical literacy has been introduced through classical influences.
• Early 20th-century publications like Francis O'Neill's "The Music of Ireland" (1903) helped standardise tunes.
  • O'Neill's "1001 Tunes" became a foundational reference for musicians.
• Other collectors, like Francis Roche, contributed volumes like "The Roche Collection."

Teaching Methods

• Group tuition has replaced one-on-one learning, with notation skills often used for teaching.

Ensemble Performances

• Historically, Irish music was performed by solo musicians or small informal groups.
• Ceoltóirí Chualann (founded by Seán Ó Riada) introduced ensemble arrangements modelled on jazz and classical formats.
  • Featured instruments combining unusual textures and complex arrangements unsuitable for dancing.

Dance Bands

• The first Irish dance bands appeared in early 20th-century America, playing in Irish-American dance halls.
  • Instruments like the saxophone and piccolo were initially used but later faded in a traditional context.
  • Surviving instruments include drums, banjo, and piano.

Instruments from Other Cultures

• Instruments such as the guitar (Arty McGlynn), banjo (Barney McKenna), and bouzouki (Dónal Lunny) were adopted into Irish traditional music.

The Impact of Modernisation

Modern developments like urbanisation, recording technology, and globalisation have made Irish music more accessible and versatile. Musicians now draw on both tradition and innovation, balancing preservation with creative evolution.

Exam Tips

• Understand Internal and External Changes: Be able to explain how both internal developments (e.g., Comhaltas) and external influences (e.g., literacy, new instruments) shaped Irish music.
• Provide Examples: Mention key figures like Michael Coleman (recordings), Seán Ó Riada (ensemble performances), and Francis O'Neill (publishing).
• Highlight Cultural Shifts: Discuss how Irish music evolved from a dance tradition to one that's also enjoyed in sessions, concerts, and recordings.
• Explain Modern Influences: Address the role of new instruments, teaching methods, and media in shaping today's music. Irish music has continually adapted, ensuring its survival and relevance in a rapidly changing world. This dynamism reflects both the resilience of tradition and the openness to innovation.