Where to Find Music for Training

Platforms

1. Spotify

Probably the largest amount of free training music can be found on Spotify. When searching, you can enter the song title directly if you remember it or if you are looking for a specific tune. But if your main goal is the correct rhythm and speed, it is enough to enter the dance level and optionally the required speed in the search field. Tracks are often named after the dances themselves, so you can type, for example: Beginners reel, Intermediate Hornpipe, etc., or Reel 124, Light jig 116…. You will then see plenty of tracks in the required speed and rhythm. You can create your own playlist or use our school’s ready-made playlist for beginners level.

2. YouTube

Another option is music available on YouTube, which you can search in a similar way as on Spotify.

3. Beat-Irish dance feis music

You can download this app to your phone, sign in via Google or Facebook, and create your own account. Music here is partly paid, but for free you can access, for example, multiple speeds of beginners reel, slip jig, single jig, heavy jig, and hornpipe, as well as music for seven traditional sets (by Kevin Murphy). For primary categories and higher, tracks are already paid. If you upgrade, you can also find music for ceilí, championships, performances, or set dances. Individual musicians have their own “profiles” where you can also browse music and play individual albums. It is not only a music app; you will also find tabs dedicated to, for example, results of some competitions, makeup tutorials, posts from successful dancers, podcasts from the Irish dance world, etc.

4. Feis

The Feis app offers a free “Starter” version after sign-in, a paid “Standard” version, and a slightly more expensive “Premium” version. For free, you can access tracks for traditional sets and a narrower selection of beginners dances. The paid section is similar to the Beat app - you can also find tracks for higher levels, music for ceilí, and individual musicians’ albums, as well as news, competition information, links…

5. Musicians’ websites

You can access music from individual artists either through the platforms and apps already mentioned, or through their websites. For inspiration, see below.

Artists

Another option is to search for music directly by the names of artists - musicians. They often have their own pages with music on their websites, Spotify, or YouTube. Well-known names include:

Step dancing

• Kristián Fišl
• Anton & Sully
• Dean Crouch
• Sean O’Brien
• Gerry Conlon

Set dancing

• Swallow’s Tail Ceili Band – Suas Leat