Learning to play Irish traditional music
People wanting to play Irish traditional music often ask “What tunes should I learn to start with?”
Here are a couple of links to get you started:
https://thesession.org/tunes/search?type=&mode=&q=&page=2
https://www.irishtune.info/session/tunes.php
Online Music Lessons
Learn Traditional Irish Music Online
They provide quality tuition in traditional Irish instruments—via video streaming—to the world.
Most beginners start off with our hugely popular course Tin Whistle Basics, this gives them a real taste for Irish music. Then before long you’ll find students begin to dabble in the Bodhran, Flute, Fiddle, Concertina, Button Accordion, Piano Accordion, Harp, Uilleann Pipes and Irish Song. We’ve found many coming from other traditions also to accompany Irish music with the Guitar, Piano, Tenor Banjo, Mandolin and Bouzouki. So really, there’s something for everyone here no matter what instrument calls to you.
Online sessions
John Whelan
Every Wednesday, John hosts a FREE “Taking Time” slow session on Zoom. These sessions take place on Wednesdays, starting at 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern / Midnight Irish/UK time, and usually last about two hours. Everybody is welcome to enjoy playing (or listening to) favorite tunes at a comfortable tempo.
To sign up for the Taking Time, all you have to do is sign up for John’s email newsletter. He sends out the Zoom link and tune list every week, usually on Tuesday evenings.
Shannon Heaton
Trad School – Simple lessons relevant to Irish musicians.
Virtual Guided Session – Mid-tempo sessions run by Matt & Shannon Heaton, since March 2020. Join the global community for an hour of tunes, THIRD SATURDAY of the month, 2pm Eastern time
The Ould Sod Virtual Traditional Music Session
Monthly virtual traditional Irish session on Zoom the first Thursday night of each month from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Pacific Time! (9:00 PM – 11:00 PM Eastern Time)
Zoom link
Meeting ID: 6193681854
Password: session