Learn about the music, rhythms, and instruments of traditional Irish music.
Play an Irish jig rhythm on percussion instruments
Materials
World map (to locate Ireland)
Photos of traditional Irish instruments: bodhran, bones, and spoons
Instrument substitute for bodhran: a frame drum or clean pizza box and short wood mallets (4-6 inches)
Instrument substitute for bones: wood blocks
A pair of metal spoons for each person
Instructions
The Galway Races is Ireland's biggest and most famous horse-racing festival that is held in Galway each year. Echo-sing the repeated phrase of the song: With me dum diddle doh
and a diddly idle aye. As you listen to this song, join in on this phrase.
Read the Student Page titled "The Rhythms of Irish Music." What are three main percussion instruments that play the rhythm in Irish music? (bodhran, bones and spoons) ASK Why do you think people started playing the spoons? (everyone has them; they make a sharp, loud sound; they can play different rhythm patterns)
Lead the group in saying "rashers and sausages" and "black and decker" to feel the rhythm of an Irish jig versus a reel. ASK What do you think rashers might be? (pieces of bacon)
Sing the song together. As you listen to the introduction, whisper "rashers and sausages" while stepping on "rash" and "sau" to move to the 6/8 meter. Continue stepping to the beat while singing.
Display each instrument (and instrument substitute, if needed) and show how to play it properly. Under Available Learning Resources on the website, under Audio, there is a very helpful Instructional audio to listen to. (Celtic Rhythms Beginner)
Spoons: Sit in a chair to play. Distribute two spoons to each person. Place the spoons back-to-back. One spoon should be placed between the index and middle finger. The other spoon should be placed between the middle and ring finger. The spoons should be loose enough in the hand so their backs will touch. (Be careful not to squeeze them too much or they won't be able to move.) "Bounce" the spoons between your thigh and the hand that isn't holding the spoons. Practice the Instrument 1 pattern together, listed on the bottom of the Student Page.
Bones: Bones are difficult to learn because they involve complex fine motor skills. The two pieces of wood are held somewhat loosely between the index and middle fingers, and the middle and ring fingers. Most of the wood should extend below the palm. A quick flick of the wrist outward makes the pieces hit one another, followed by a twist back to have them hit on the rebound. An easier solution is to use a woodblock! Practice the Instrument 2 pattern together.
Bodhran: If you do not have frame drums, pizza boxes make great practice bodhrans. Hold the drum/pizza box with your weak hand and place it vertically in your lap while seated. With your strong hand, hold a wood mallet like a pencil, with the knob in place of the pencil tip. Practice striking the drum down and away from your chest, then in and up toward your chest. (Imagine a clock: hit out at 9 o'clock and in at 7 o'clock.) Practice the Instrument 3 pattern together. Each stroke should alternate out-in-out-in and so on. (This is the easiest way to play these rhythms.)
Play the three different jig rhythms with the audio (Celtic Rhythms Beginner) separately, then together.
Divide the group. Choose a group to sing while others play the percussion parts. Repeat and switch parts.
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