• Irish music has its roots in the oral tradition.Irish flag with shamrock image by Sophia Winters from Fotolia.com
  
  The predominant characteristic of Irish music is its basis on oral tradition, sharing and merging stories, beliefs, events and cultural feelings from the past and present. It does not demand that the player follow strict musical notation, since melody often follows and is modified by changing lyrics. More times than not, Irish music is either passed down or learned by example, rather than being taught via formal lessons or rote memorization.
  
  

Oral Tradition

• Irish music usually tells a story. Songs and compositions are rarely static in nature, and individual musicians tend to add and delete sections of lyrics and melodies on a frequent basis. The largest percentage of oral tradition found in Irish music is based upon past events, but it is not unusual for modern beliefs or trends to be integrated into old songs.
  
  

Lyrical Styles

• Harmonies are relatively simple in Irish music, but a song usually falls into one of three categories: The goltraige style is exemplified by sad tunes and often focuses on death; gentraige style includes fast-tempo dancing music and is meant to elicit joy; and the suantraige style is slow, melodic and associated with lullabies.
  
  

Musical Instruments

• Stringed instruments commonly found in Irish music include the fiddle, bass and Irish bouzouki, which is a type of mandolin. Woodwind instruments such as flutes, pipes and whistles are also crucial to providing the distinct sounds of Irish music, as are accordions and concertinas. Percussion instruments are used sparingly.