Celtic Music
Edward T. Wimberley, Ph.D.
etwimber@yahoo.com
Understanding The History Of Celtic Music:
The term ‘Celtic Music‘ is an umbrella term used by the record and music industry. It covers the traditional music of the Celtic countries including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany (in France), Galicia (in Spain) and other areas which have come under the influence of these musical traditions. It is important to note that the music of the Celts comes from a cultural group with influence beyond just the Celtic countries. Also, some of the instruments are a relatively new inclusion.What Makes Celtic Music Unique?
The Celtic music is generally played in ensembles, with the melody instruments playing in unison (or octaves), not in harmony. The music tends to be repeated many times. Musicians use embellishment to keep the music engaging, fun, and interesting for the audiences and the musicians. Some of the embellishments used in Celtic musical instruments such - as Uilleann pipes, fiddle and flute - consists of distinctive cuts and rolls. One of the distinguishing features is the fact that this music type typically has few rests. This makes it a challenge for wind instrument players to find places to breathe in between the notes.
Some Interesting Things About Celtic MusicThe music dates back hundreds, if not thousands of years and there are no formal rules to the style of music as such. One of the main elements of Celtic music is the use of microtonal bends - also found in blues and Arabic music. In Celtic and modern folk music, musicians sometimes abandon the traditional and the formal style of music playing and create innovative sounds with the instruments such as Uilleann Pipes, Whistle, Fiddle, Irish Flute etc.
Video:
- Cape Breton Island - The Celtic Heart of North America;
- The Appalachians: The Scotch-Irish and Their Music;
- Scotch-Irish Music in America;
- History of the Harp in Wales;
- Celtic Music on the Continent;
- Australian National Celtic Festival;
- The History of Irish Music;
- Cape Breton Music;
- Cape Breton Bagpipe;
- Cape Breton Fiddle;
- Irish, Scottish and Applachian Fiddle Style;
- Backwards To Go Forward: Contemporary Irish Music
- Acadian Music;
- The Cajun Story;
- Bluegrass Roots;
- Buck Dancing;
- Buck Dancing Basics;
- Appalaichian Flatfooting;
- Buck Dancing in African Culture;
- Clog Dancing in Wales;
- The Green Grass Cloggers;
- Celtic Colours of the Festival (Cape Breton).
Modern Celtic Musicians:
Modern Bluegrass Music:
Readings:
Study Questions:
- Describe how Appalachian instruments were played in celtic style.
- What is distinct about the musical tradition in Cape Breton?
- What are the principal instruments used in traditional Irish music/
- Compare the style of dance to be found in Ireland, Cape Breton and in the Appalachians.
- Describe the story presented in the film "Crooked Tune."