Irish Music Classes for 2025

The Irish wooden flute has one of the most distinctive sounds in Irish traditional music and is a challenging but very rewarding instrument to play. The ability to play a wooden or French-model open holed flute is ideal, but students playing a closed hole (plateau) flute are also welcome. Classes focus on learning tunes and technique.

The fiddle is one of the most widely recognised instruments in traditional Irish music. Fiddle workshops focus on learning tunes, bowing technique, and ornamentation

Uilleann pipes are Irish bagpipes, and with the number of players increasing in New Zealand this instrument class is becoming very popular. Familiarity with this instrument is absolutely essential for the class, but there will be an opportunity for students of other instruments to try the pipes.

The concertina is a free-reed musical instrument. While both the Anglo concertina and the English Concertina are used to play Irish music, the Anglo concertina is the one most favoured by Irish music players. Either are welcome at this class, as are other free reed instruments such as the box accordion.

The four string tenor banjo is a relative newcomer to Irish music, and due to its volume it is a popular instrument to play for dancers. Some players simply strum the instrument in a guitar-like style, but most play the tune (e.g. a reel or jig). The banjo classes focus on learning tunes, as well as technique and ornamentation.

Guitars can be used to play the melody in Irish music, but are also used as rhythm instruments to back musicians playing the melody. Classes focus on the distinctive beat and rhythm of Irish music.
The alternative tuning of D A D G A D is most associated with Irish music, however, being familiar with this tuning is not a requirement for the class.

The tin whistle is a simple instrument with a big sound that has an old and close association with Irish traditional music. Those still learning the whistle but already playing tunes on another instrument may join this class.

Traditional Irish singing is the singing of traditional songs in styles such as sean nós. The singing classes explore songs in both Irish and English and are suitable for beginners.

Irish dancing includes various traditional dance forms, such as sean nós, step dancing, ceili dancing, and set dancing. These classes focus on set dancing.  Set dances are traditional social dances of Ireland and are the best way to enjoy Irish music. Danced in sets of 8 people in a square formation, each set dance has between 3 and 7 figures. 

There are no difficult steps to learn, this is not like River Dance!  No partner needed, there will always be someone to dance with. Suitable for beginners and experienced alike, all ages welcome from the age of 10 upwards.  Smooth soled shoes recommended.  Dancing to great tunes, and having fun.