Frequently Asked Question:

What Are the Instruments Named Here?

The following uniform terms are used in the Discography to describe the following instruments used in Irish traditional music. For more about traditional Irish instruments, I recommend consulting the The Companion to Irish Traditional Music (see the Bibliography).

InstrumentBrief Remarks
pipesUilleann pipes. The native Irish bellows-blown bagpipes. Pronounced "ILL-in." Also spelled "uillean pipes." Visit Na Píobairí Uilleann for more information.
whistleTin whistle (known as "penny whistle" in English music). Visit Chiff and Fipple for more information.
fluteTransverse flute. I do not differentiate here between wooden flutes and silver flutes. The former are by far the most common.
fiddleThere is no difference between fiddle and violin other than what music you play on it.
accordionOften referred to as "box" in Irish music. I use this term for all button melodeons and accordions, regardless of tuning patterns or number of rows. Also spelled "accordeon." I do use the specific term "piano accordion" in the few cases where that instrument is used.
concertinaVisit concertina.net for more information.
banjoIn Irish music this almost exclusively means the four-string tenor banjo played with a single pick.
bodhránThe Irish frame drum. Also spelled "bodhran." The preferred English-language pronunciation is "bo-RAWN." Visit The Bodhrán Page for more information.
bouzoukiVisit Han's Irish Bouzouki Homepage for more information.

If you play or would like to play Irish music, you might be interested in some Tips for Learning Irish Traditional Music.