A fiddle player.

What makes a fiddle different from a violin? Believe it or not, the fiddle and violin are the exact same instrument! The name is determined by what kind of music you play! So, if you play bluegrass, country or Irish music on this instrument, it is generally referred to as a fiddle. If you play classical music, then it is usually referred to as a violin. Interesting, huh? There are many different styles of fiddle playing in Ireland-County Sligo, where the Culkins come from has its own style of playing!

The mandolin is a small stringed instrument, which is tuned the same as a fiddle. Instead of using a bow to make sound, you fingerpick the strings. The unique aspect of a mandolin is that it has eight strings but only four notes! There are two strings of G, two strings of D, two strings of A, and two stings of E. Why is this? Mostly because this instrument is fairly quiet and having two strings of the same note make it a bit louder. The neck is fretted, unlike the fiddle and a mandolin player will move his/her fingers up and down the neck on different frets to get different notes.

A concertina is another instrument used in traditional Irish music. Often times gypsies are pictured with them! Concertinas are generally octagonal in shape and have folded bellows in the middle with buttons on each end. Check out the photo! The English or Wheatstone concertina was the first style invented and generally has 48 buttons but can have 56. In order to get sound, the player pushes buttons while pulling open or pushing close the bellows. Each button on a Wheatstone has the same note whether you push or pull! This is unlike the Anglo concertina. Each button on an Anglo has two notes, one when you push and one when you pull! (Similar to blowing in to or out of a harmonica) The Anglo generally has less keys than the English style.

The button box is similar to an accordion, however the accordion has keys like a piano and a button box doesn’t. Button boxes are the same shape as accordions, larger than concertinas, and are similar to concertinas in that they have bellows in the middle and buttons on each side. Generally there are two to three rows of buttons on each side, one side is base and the other side is treble. You will see Irish musicians playing both button boxes and accordions.

The tin whistle or penny whistle is a simple and cheap wind instrument used in Irish music. The most commonly used whistle has a plastic top, which is attached to a cylindrical brass or metal tube. The tube has six finger holes, which are covered and uncovered producing different notes. Tin whistles come in different sizes and the size determines what key that whistle plays. Tin whistles can be purchased for as cheap as $10! If you are interested in learning to play Irish music, the tin whistle may be your best bet!

The Celtic harp.

Last but not least, the Celtic harp! The Celtic harp or lever harp is another popular instrument used in Irish music. When picturing a harp, most people immediately think of a classical floor harp in which the musician uses pedals to change keys. The Celtic harp is smaller, lighter, and more portable! A Celtic harp uses leavers that push against the strings making them tighter to change keys. The sound of an individual harp will vary greatly depending on what kind of material the strings are made of. Nowadays, harps are strung with nylon strings making the sound quieter and softer.