User Manual
37A User’s Guide to Garritan World Instruments
European folk music has had a signicant impact on Western classical music. Many of the classical
music greats such as Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Bartok, Smetana, and other legendary composers have
borrowed generously from local folk music for their inspiration.
One particular avor of European folk music that has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity is Celtic
music. Irish and Scottish immigrants brought this unique musical tradition to the Americas and
other parts of the globe. More recently, the international successes of “Riverdance” and Enya have
exposed large audiences to the style. Today, Celtic and Irish traditional music is stronger than it has
ever been. Celtic instruments in the Garritan World Instrument collection include the Irish whistle,
Uilleann pipes, pennywhistle, bodhran, Celtic harp, and wire strung harp.
Another well-known avor is Eastern European music, particularly Gypsy music. Ever since nomadic
peoples arrived in Eastern Europe during the Middle Ages (from various places east), the Gypsies
have been one of Europe’s greatest musical treasures. Gypsies are well known for their songs that
celebrate all aspects of life. Klezmer music also originates in eastern Europe, drawing largely on the
traditions of Ashkenazi Jews as well as inuences from Gypsy and Romanian styles.
Whereas other regions of the world are more percussion-oriented, Europe seemed to have focused
more on wind and stringed instruments. Eastern European instruments in Garritan World Instru-
ments include the balalaika, mandolins, accordions, zitter, tambura, kaval, European bagpipes, chant-
ers, recorders, shawms, shepherd utes, and overtone utes.
European musical traditions spread throughout the globe and inuenced many other cultures. Colo-
nial expansion in the new world brought settlers, traders, and missionaries who brought their music
with them everywhere they went. In recent years, another settlement (or some might say, invasion)
occurred when Europe brought us the British sound (the Beatles) and all sorts of multiethnic fusions
and crossover music.