Article

Musical Development in Irish Traditional Music: An Exploration of Family Influences

Jessica Cawley

Published in: Ethnomusicology Ireland 2 (2013)

Pages: 109-125 | Published Online: 2013

https://doi.org/10.64208/FIXV3570

Abstract

This essay explores a number of social interactions that contribute significantly to the musical development of Irish traditional musicians from a socio-cultural perspective. I primarily focus on my interviewees’ learning experiences with their parents, but also discuss their experiences with other family members, including siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Prior to fieldwork, I anticipated that traditional musicians would emphasise the importance of family to the learning process. This presumption most likely stemmed from the common belief that exceptional traditional musicians often come from musical families. My interview data suggests that Irish traditional musicians experience diverse types of family interactions, which significantly effects musical development in correspondingly diverse ways.

Keywords: Family, influence, Irish traditional music

Author: Jessica Cawley