Subjects / Irish traditional music

Best books to learn Irish traditional music, in order

Irish traditional music is learned in rooms, by ear, from other players, and no book will ever be the primary source — which is why the best writing on it is about how the transmission works rather than about the notes.

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Reading paths for irish traditional music

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Frequently asked questions

How should I approach learning irish traditional music?
Irish traditional music is learned in rooms, by ear, from other players, and no book will ever be the primary source — which is why the best writing on it is about how the transmission works rather than about the notes.
What's a good book to start irish traditional music with?
A strong starting point is Last night's fun by Ciaran Carson. The ordered reading paths above show exactly where it fits and what to read next.
What should I read after irish traditional music?
Once you have the fundamentals, explore closely related subjects like Indian classical music, Bossa nova and Brazilian music.

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