The Irish bouzouki

The bouzouki is a plucked string instrument of Greek origin that has been adapted and integrated into traditional Irish music since the 1950s. With its unique metallic sound, the Irish bouzouki has become an essential part of the Celtic musical landscape.

History of the Irish bouzouki

A Greek instrument, modified by the Irish

The bouzouki was brought to Ireland in the 1950s by Johnny Moynihan, a folk musician fascinated by the Greek music scene. By slightly modifying the structure of the instrument, with a longer neck and steel strings, he created the Irish bouzouki we know today.

The first bands to adopt it were Sweeney’s Men and The Dubliners.

Features

The Irish bouzouki resembles an oversized lute or mandolin. It consists of a fairly long neck, a domed, flat resonance body and a pegbox for tensioning the metal strings.

It comes in several sizes, the most common having a handle of around 65 cm.

The instrument has 8 strings, grouped in pairs and tuned two by two in unison or octave.

Thanks to its harmonic and rhythmic versatility, the bouzouki can be integrated into virtually any Irish musical genre, from folk to Celtic rock.

He provides the harmonic accompaniment, but shines especially in melodies and solos with his fast, ornamented lines.

The plectrum is the essential accessory for obtaining the clear, piquant sound so characteristic of the Irish bouzouki.

Rates

The price of an Irish bouzouki can vary greatly depending on various criteria, but here are some general guidelines:

Entry-level bouzoukis: between €150 and €300. These are generally low-cost imported instruments, with standard materials and mass production. Sound rendering is correct without being exceptional.
Mid-range bouzoukis: between €400 and €900. Best-in-class instruments made from selected woods and semi-handcrafted. Sound quality is good, enabling the advanced amateur musician to make good progress.
Top-of-the-range and professional bouzoukis: from €1,000, to over €3,000 for some of the finest instruments. These bouzoukis are entirely handcrafted by renowned luthiers, with a careful selection of materials, guaranteeing powerful, refined sound and long life.

Some instruments signed by renowned luthiers, as well as vintage instruments or those that belonged to famous musicians, can also fetch very high prices on the market, in excess of €5,000.

Although relatively affordable for stringed instruments, most professional bouzoukis represent a certain investment. But the acoustic quality and meticulous craftsmanship are generally worth the price for the discerning musician.

Ireland’s great bouzouki players

The list goes on, for the Irish bouzouki has occupied a central place in Celtic music for over half a century. These few names give an idea of the diversity of approaches to this instrument.

Dónal Lunny: Musician and producer, a major figure on the Irish folk scene since the 1970s. A founding member of Planxty and The Bothy Band, he is considered one of the pioneers of the bouzouki in traditional Irish music.
Andy Irvine: Singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist, Andy Irvine is one of the pioneers of the Irish bouzouki. A founding member of Planxty and Patrick Street, his melodic, ornamented playing is instantly recognizable.
Alec Finn: Co-founder of the iconic De Dannan band in the 1970s, Alec Finn is one of Ireland’s masters of the bouzouki. His style is characterized by its frenetic rhythm and inventive riffs.
John Sheahan: A long-standing member of the famous folk group The Dubliners, John Sheahan is one of the last representatives of the generation of Irish bouzouki introducers. A subtle blend of tradition and modernity.
Gerry O’Connor: A virtuoso on banjo and bouzouki, Gerry O’Connor is considered one of the most creative instrumentalists of his generation. His extremely dynamic and complex playing takes the bouzouki in a modern direction.
Máirtín O’Connor: No less talented than his brother. Bouzouki lead of the group Buttons & Bows, his unique style blends traditional Irish elements with jazz or even bluegrass inspiration in his compositions.