Celtic music means many things to many people. To some it recalls the Irish rebel songs of the Clancy Brothers, to others the ensemble playing of the Chieftains or Enya's ethereal vocals. Yet Celtic music is much more than reels, jigs, and sentimental ballads. It is also unaccompanied singing, feverish fiddle tunes, the sweet strains of the Irish uileann pipes. It comes not just from Ireland and Scotland but from Wales, Brittany, the Isle of Man, and Cornwall. It informs the musical roots of Van Morrison and U2, the performances of Riverdance, and the scores for such films as Braveheart and Titanic.Celtic Music explores all aspects of this music—from its roots to the exciting developments on the contemporary scene. Sawyers profiles hundreds of artists, and compiles suggestions for recommended listening as well as the one hundred essential Celtic recordings. Lists of Celtic festivals and publications are also included, together with record outlets, record labels, and music schools, making this book essential for all lovers of the music.

Provides an introduction to the different syles of Celtic spirituality, covering such topics as the three paths, mythology, the role of ancestors, and incorporating the Celtic life into today's lifestyles.

While the wooden simple-system flute is traditionally used in playing Irish music, a growing number of folk players have adopted the silver flute as a viable alternative. Here for the first time, The Complete Irish Flute Book presents the silver or Boehm flutist with a method for learning authentic Irish ornamentation! This thorough guide provides detailed fingering charts, exercises, and technical essays for learning to execute ornaments in the in the Irish style. Through a wealth of hornpipes, reels, jigs, set dances, and slow airs and songs. This book focuses not only on musical accuracy, but stylistic authenticity as well. The companion CD contains 26 of the 101 tunes from the book.

BOOK ONLY (Audio CD available to buy on author's website). Learn to play Irish traditional music on the whistle with this tutor book from Tradschool 104 tunes (28 children's & folk songs + 76 traditional Irish tunes) This book gives a complete introduction to playing Irish music in the traditional style on the tin whistle; it covers all from the very first notes on the instrument to the most advanced ornamentation. The course is broadly divided into two parts, with the shorter first part covering the basics of the whistle while the longer second part (pages 49-296) covers the playing of Irish traditional music on the instrument. It is intended for anybody who wants to play traditional music in the Irish style, from complete beginners to confirmed or advanced players who wish to work on their style or ornamentation. Tablature as well as sheet music is used throughout the book, so it is accessible to the complete beginner; while more advanced players will appreciate the attention to detail in style and ornamentation in the later parts of the book. Contents Introduction Part One Unit 1: Beginning the Whistle Unit 2: Right Hand Notes Unit 3: The Second Octave Unit 4 - Scales Unit 5 - Rhythm, Articulation & Breathing Unit 6 - Putting it together 1 Part Two Unit 7 - Irish Traditional Music Unit 8 - Listening to Irish Music Unit 9 - The Jig Unit 10 - The Hornpipe Unit 11 - The Reel Unit 12 - Ornamentation Ornamentation 1 - The Cut Ornamentation 2 - The Tap Ornamentation 3 - The Slide Ornamentation 4 - The Roll Ornamentation 5 - The Short Roll Ornamentation 6 - The Triplet Ornamentation 7 - The Bounce Ornamentation 8 - The Cran Ornamentation 9 - Combining Ornaments Ornamentation 10 - Staccato Triplets Ornamentation 11 - Summary Unit 13 - Other tunes Unit 14 - Playing in different keys Unit 15 - Playing Irish Music Unit 16 - Putting It Together 2 Unit 17 - Tunes Appendix 1 - Troubleshooting Appendix 2 - Reading Music Appendix 3 - Bibliography Appendix 4 - Tracklist

Taking Irish traditional music as its starting point and focus, this guide traces the music's history, describes its fundamental elements and provides a detailed directory of all the key singers, musicians and bands, listings of venues, festivals, record companies, and instrument makers.

A guide to the traditional and contemporary music of the Celtic lands - an examination of its past, an assessment of the present, a glimpse into its future.

(Waltons Irish Music Books). Everything you need to know about the Irish fiddle, from playing your first notes and tunes to advanced solos and ornamentation. This book includes special chapters for beginners, "key points" highlighting essential aspects of fiddle technique, a comprehensive guide to traditional ornamentation and over 80 carefully chosen tunes. One of Ireland's most exciting fiddle players, Paul McNevin has had an equally influential career as a teacher. During his long association with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, he won the All Ireland Slogadh and Plearacha competitions and received his Comhaltas teaching diplomas in 1991. Paul has toured throughout Europe with the Donal Lunny Band, Damien Quinn and Speranza, among others and has been a regular guest with Stockton's Wing and the Riverdance dancers.