Coupling the narratives of twenty-two Irish traditional musicians alongside intensive field research, Becoming an Irish Traditional Musician explores the rich and diverse ways traditional musicians hone their craft. It details the educational benefits and challenges associated with each learning practice, outlining the motivations and obstacles learners experience during musical development. By exploring learning from the point of view of the learners themselves, the author provides new insights into modern Irish traditional music culture and how people begin to embody a musical tradition. This book charts the journey of becoming an Irish traditional musician and explores how musicality is learned, developed, and embodied.
Introduction: Exploring the Journey of Musical Enculturation
Irish Traditional Music as a Community of Practice
Constructing this Ethnography
The Transmission of Irish Traditional Music: Key Features
1 Passing it on: Connecting with a Community of Practitioners
Mentors
Peers
Family
Enthusiasts
Entering the Community of Practice
2 Transmission, Inspiration, and Social Tensions in Irish Traditional Music Sessions
Acquiring Repertoire
Developing Technique and Personal Style
Situated Learning
Troubleshooting: Challenges to Learning in Sessions
The Session: Who is it for?
3 Organized Informality: Teaching and Institutionalizing Irish Traditional Music
The Teaching of Irish Traditional Music
Schooling
Community Music Organl#-
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