Music
genre based on the
aural tradition of
Irish folk music. There are two main
branches -
tunes for
dancing, and
songs and
airs for listening.
The dance music is dominated by the 4/4 rhythm reel, but the 6/8 jig and 4/4 hornpipe and polka are often heard as well. Less common tune types are slides and slip jigs.
The airs and songs are usually solo. There is one electrifying style of singing called sean-nos. It is a capella, and the singer often joins hands with the listener to create a stronger connection than what the voice alone can accomplish.
The main forum for Irish traditional music is the session - usually a mix of fiddle, flute, accordion (box), tin whistle, mandolin, bodhran (a drum) and often a guitar and sometimes other non-traditional instruments.