Transcript School - The Education Resource Centre

Fusions of Irish Music
One of the most interesting developments in
recent times is the way in which other
previously unrelated musical styles have
interacted and fused with Irish traditional music.
This has led to the development of several
different categories of music with Irish
influences
Fusions of Irish Music
Traditional/classical

This involves a classical music ensemble such as a
string quartet or chamber orchestra accompanying a
traditional musician.
In Micheal O Suilleabhain’s work Oilean, he
combined traditional Irish flute with orchestra in a
work or three movements.
Other composers who use this combination include
Sean O Riada and Shaun Davey.
Fusions of Irish Music
Traditional/Folk



This type of fusion is played by groups such as the
Clancy Brothers and The Dubliners who play popular
ballads and Irish songs in an upbeat tempo with
guitars and bouzouki. They also play Irish dance
music between songs.
The group Altan seek out unheard Irish songs and put
their own stamp on them. Their instruments include
fiddle, guitars and bouzouki’s.
De Dannon use mix guitar, bouzouki, Irish
instruments and a cello. Frankie Gavin (fiddle) has
experimented with popular songs for example Hey
Jude which was sped up to the time of a reel.
Fusions of Irish Music
The Dubliners: Molly Malone
A popular Irish song, with an upbeat
tempo. Note the guitars and bouzouki
Fusions of Irish Music
Altan: A Stor, A stor, a ghra
Altan seek out unheard Irish songs. The lead singer is
Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh. They originated in Donegal.
Fusions of Irish Music
De Dannon: Hey Jude
A popular song (The Beatles) which was sped up to
the time of a reel.
Fusions of Irish Music
Traditional/Rock
 Clannad were a very progressive group in the 70s.


They combined traditional with contemporary
music. Their instrumentation includes synthesisers,
drums, guitars mixed with the Irish instruments the
harp, whistle and fiddle.
Thin Lizzy is famous for his Jimmy Hendrix style of
electric guitar playing. He mixed traditional with
rock in his music for example Whiskey in the Jar
where the melody is on electric guitar and he sings
it in a heavy metal style
The Corrs are a successful international pop group
who use bodhran, fiddle and tin whistle in their
music.
Fusions of Irish Music
Thin Lizzy: Whiskey in the Jar
Melody:
electric
guitar
Vocals:
Heavy rock
style

Fusions of Irish Music
The Corrs: Irish Instruments
Fusions of Irish Music
Traditional/Jazz
Sharon Shannon blends Irish music with Jazz on her
accordion. She mixed Irish dance tunes with reggae
jazz syncopated accompaniment.
Micheal O Suilleabhain mixes Jazz rhythms and
improvisations with Irish Jigs and reels on the piano.
Fusions of Irish Music
Traditional/World Ethnic Music
These include more exotic fusions of music with
traditional Irish music for example Africa, Asia and
Eastern Europe.

The Afro-Celt Sound System mix African music with
Irish with influences of Irish dance music and Sean nós
singing strong elements of their sound.
Bill Whelen combined Irish music with Eastern
European music in his work Riverdance. It uses uneven
metres for example 7/8 instead of the traditional 6/8
time but still uses the traditional 32 bar round of Irish
Dance tunes.