The fiddle is one of the most iconic stringed instruments in Irish music, but is also enjoyed around the globe in various musical genres and styles.
Irish fiddle for sale stands out for a number of factors, including bowing patterns and ornamentation.
Finding a qualified instructor to teach Irish fiddle can be one of the best ways to master it and it will pay dividends in the future.
Paddy Canny
Paddy Canny (1919-2080), born in Glendree, Tulla and County Clare was the youngest of three sons from a small farming family. His father – an accomplished fiddle for sasle himself – played an influential role in his playing style along with two local musicians Martin Nugent and Martin Rochford.
As a youth, Canny took lessons from blind fiddler Paddy McNamara – who boarded with their family during winter months – who taught traditional Irish music lessons at their home. Canny’s distinct fiddle playing style can be traced directly back to these musical influences who taught him, according to many.
Paddy Canny became highly sought-after throughout Ireland and internationally during the 1950s and 60s for his fiddle playing live radio broadcasts of Radio Eireann and numerous television appearances. Additionally, he helped form the Tulla Ceili Band which would tour Britain annually from 1958 – 1963.
Martin Hayes
Martin Hayes is one of the foremost fiddle players in Irish music. Hailing from County Clare, he became part of Tulla Ceili Band and later won awards such as TG4 Gradam Ceoil and RTE Radio 1 Folk Instrumentalist of the Year.
Shared Notes, his book that details his journey towards becoming such a talented fiddle player, documents how his life wasn’t always easy: dealing with addiction, business failures, depression and even accidentally smashing his fiddle over another member of his band on stage in Chicago was all part of it.
He and Dennis Cahill, along with his guitar playing partner, Dennis Walshe have become iconic names in traditional Irish music circles. On their most recent recording titled Welcome Here Again they took an innovative and fresh approach by recording whole tunes instead of creating medleys; as a result it created tracks which moved deep within listeners with depth and intensity that is impossible to describe.
Tommy Peoples
Tommy Peoples, one of the foremost practitioners of Donegal-style fiddling, was born in Letterkenny and raised in Killycally near St Johnston. Although taught largely by his father, Joe Cassidy himself began giving lessons at seven. Over time he developed his own bowing techniques – today being considered among one of the most innovative traditional fiddlers alive today.
After graduating school, he lived in Dublin where he participated in music sessions at O’Donoghue’s and Slattery’s pubs, meeting some of the key figures of Irish music along the way. Later he moved to Kilfenora in Co. Clare where he still lives today – continuing to play regularly and keep pace with Irish musical history.
O Am Go hAm/From Time to Time was released as an acclaimed tunebook and fiddle tutor in 2015 and taught at the Willie Clancy summer school in Miltown Malbay, Co Clare where his tunes became well-known among attendees.
Nollaig Casey
Nollaig Casey has been playing Irish traditional fiddling since she was a child, and is widely recognized as one of the premier fiddlers today. After graduating with her music degree from UCC she went on to perform with some of the top folk bands worldwide.
Her playing is a beautiful blend of virtuosity and sensitivity, which shines through in her compositions. Dancing in Allihies and Causeway have become favourite reels among musicians worldwide while Lios Na Banriona was used by RTE radio as its signature tune.
Nollaig Nollaig has been part of Donal Lunny’s Coolfin band and appeared in both TV series Bringing It All Back Home and A River of Sound, in addition to performing with husband guitarist Arty McGlynn and sister harper Maire Ni Chathasaigh.