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Introduction
Introduction
Listen to two pieces of music from the Celtic folk tradition: The 'Skye Boat Song' and the 'Kesh Jig'.
The 'Skye Boat Song' is an 'air' (another word for song). It may be performed by voices and/or instruments.
The 'Kesh Jig' is a session tune, usually performed by instruments alone. 'Jig' describes the rhythm and metre ('beat'/time signature) of the music, and the dance on which it's based. Other Celtic folk dances include reels, polkas, hornpipes and marches, each with their own rhythm and metre.
Activity 1: Performing Celtic Folk Music
Activity 1: Performing Celtic Folk Music
Starter: We will sing together the Skye Boat Song. How many different pitches from the western scale (ABCDEFG) are used in the melody? This scale (group of pitches) is very common in folk (traditional) music from around the world. What is this scale called?
Main activity: We will learn to play music from the Kesh Jig.
First, begin by tapping the drum rhythm on your knees. Later this can be played on a percussion instrument.
Second, learn to play a drone on the keyboard (or other instrument). A drone is a sustained or repeated note/notes: a simple accompaniment commonly heard in folk (traditional) music. Some Celtic folk instruments always create a drone when they are played. Can you name them?
Third, learn to play a simple version of the melody. Each note has a value of one beat. (In 6/8, compound time, each beat is notated as a dotted crotchet).
Fourth, if you can, try to play some/all of the original melody. This is challenging because of the fast tempo of the music.
The Kesh Jig Sheet Music.pdfSkye Boat Song Sheet Music.pdfThe Kesh Jig Sheet Music (B flat, E flat instruments).pdf
Celtic folk music shares many similarities with other traditional music from around the world. Listen to the following examples of traditional music, and try to identify their countries of origin.
1Traditional Pentatonic Music Examples.mp3One similarity shared by all of these examples is a pentatonic melody: a tune using mainly five different pitches (in a pattern such as FGACD). You will compose your own pentatonic 'folk dance' inspired by the traditional music you have studied. To better understand the pentatonic scale, try singing the following pentatonic melodies, and recognising their similarities.
2Traditional Pentatonic Melodies (in F) pdf.pdf3Chariots Coming (F major) Vocal Score.pdf3Chariots Coming (F major) Piano Score.pdfActivity 2: The Celtic Folk Music Tradition
Activity 2: The Celtic Folk Music Tradition
Use the Celtic Folk Music Worksheet to help you.
Use the Celtic Folk Music Worksheet to help you.
Where you see an asterisk *, one or more words are missing. Using the word bank below, write the completed sentences in your class notes / on paper.
You are welcome to search for the meaning of any words which you do not understand.
Traditional Celtic folk music originates from the Celtic nations within and around the *. Folk music from the Celtic nations of * and *, including their surrounding islands, remains most prominent today. In addition to English, * languages are spoken in these regions, and feature in many folksongs.
Traditional Celtic folk music originates from the Celtic nations within and around the *. Folk music from the Celtic nations of * and *, including their surrounding islands, remains most prominent today. In addition to English, * languages are spoken in these regions, and feature in many folksongs.
Other Celtic regions include *, *, *, and the *. They celebrate similar musical traditions particular to their regions. Over many centuries, Celtic people have emigrated to countries including the * and *, influencing musical styles such as * and *. Like most folk music, Celtic folk music belongs to an * tradition: the music is learned and shared by 'word of mouth' (by ear) instead of notated sheet music.
Other Celtic regions include *, *, *, and the *. They celebrate similar musical traditions particular to their regions. Over many centuries, Celtic people have emigrated to countries including the * and *, influencing musical styles such as * and *. Like most folk music, Celtic folk music belongs to an * tradition: the music is learned and shared by 'word of mouth' (by ear) instead of notated sheet music.
Bluegrass Brittany British Isles Canada Country music Cornwall Gaelic Ireland Isle of Man Oral Scotland United States Wales
Bluegrass Brittany British Isles Canada Country music Cornwall Gaelic Ireland Isle of Man Oral Scotland United States Wales
Common features of Celtic folk music include:
Common features of Celtic folk music include:
- Simple melodies using a * range of pitches, especially the * (five note) scale.
- * melodic movement: melodies which move mainly by step and small jumps.
- Repeating rhythmic and melodic * (short musical ideas), often matching a traditional *.
- Melodic * (decorations) improvised by the player.
- Simple * accompaniments: sustained or repeated notes to accompany a melody.
- Compound time signatures creating * like rhythms ('long short long short' rhythms).
Conjunct Dance Drone Motifs Ornaments Pentatonic Small Swing
Conjunct Dance Drone Motifs Ornaments Pentatonic Small Swing
Click below to watch and listen to musicians play instruments from the Celtic folk music tradition. Then in your class notebook/exercise book/on paper, using the annotated images to help you, complete the following sentences describing each instrument (where you see an asterisk * the instrument's name has been omitted).
In your class notebook, exercise book or on paper, using the annotated images below to help you, complete the following sentences describing each instrument (where you see an asterisk * the instrument's name has been omitted).
Word bank:
Word bank:
Accordion (Great Highland) Bagpipes Bodhran Bouzouki Celtic Harp Fiddle Flute Mandolin Uilleann Pipes Violin Whistle
Accordion (Great Highland) Bagpipes Bodhran Bouzouki Celtic Harp Fiddle Flute Mandolin Uilleann Pipes Violin Whistle
Percussion Instrument
Percussion Instrument
The * is a flat, circular, single-headed drum with a cross frame, to be held in the hand. In the other hand the player holds a two-headed beater known as a 'bone' (similar to a real bone).
The * is a flat, circular, single-headed drum with a cross frame, to be held in the hand. In the other hand the player holds a two-headed beater known as a 'bone' (similar to a real bone).
Wind Instruments
Wind Instruments
The *, traditionally a Scottish instrument, are played by blowing into a bag squeezed under the arm. The air exits through a chanter pipe (playing the melody) and drone pipes (playing sustained notes), each with an enclosed reed to make the sound.
The *, traditionally a Scottish instrument, are played by blowing into a bag squeezed under the arm. The air exits through a chanter pipe (playing the melody) and drone pipes (playing sustained notes), each with an enclosed reed to make the sound.
The *, traditionally an Irish instrument, are played by pumping air through bellows with one arm, into a bag which is squeezed under the other arm. The air exits through a chanter pipe (playing the melody with the fingers), regulator pipes (playing harmony with the wrist) and drone pipes (playing sustained notes), each with an enclosed reed to make the sound.
The *, traditionally an Irish instrument, are played by pumping air through bellows with one arm, into a bag which is squeezed under the other arm. The air exits through a chanter pipe (playing the melody with the fingers), regulator pipes (playing harmony with the wrist) and drone pipes (playing sustained notes), each with an enclosed reed to make the sound.
The * is played by squeezing together and pulling apart a pair of bellows, and by pressing keys to release air through enclosed reeds which make the sound.
The * is played by squeezing together and pulling apart a pair of bellows, and by pressing keys to release air through enclosed reeds which make the sound.
The * is played by blowing air through a fipple ('beak') mouthpiece into a tube of wood or metal, with holes covered by the fingers to play a melody (similar to a recorder).
The * is played by blowing air through a fipple ('beak') mouthpiece into a tube of wood or metal, with holes covered by the fingers to play a melody (similar to a recorder).
The * is played by blowing air across a hole at the end of a wooden tube, with additional holes covered by the fingers to play a melody. Unlike the modern classical instrument, it is made of wood (not metal), with mainly open finger holes (not keys).
The * is played by blowing air across a hole at the end of a wooden tube, with additional holes covered by the fingers to play a melody. Unlike the modern classical instrument, it is made of wood (not metal), with mainly open finger holes (not keys).
Word bank:
Word bank:
Accordion (Great Highland) Bagpipes Bodhran Bouzouki Celtic Harp Fiddle Flute Mandolin Uilleann Pipes Violin Whistle
Accordion (Great Highland) Bagpipes Bodhran Bouzouki Celtic Harp Fiddle Flute Mandolin Uilleann Pipes Violin Whistle
String Instruments
String Instruments
The * has four strings played with a bow. In folk music, this instrument often leads by playing the melody. In classical music, this instrument is known as a *.
The * has four strings played with a bow. In folk music, this instrument often leads by playing the melody. In classical music, this instrument is known as a *.
The * has four courses (pairs) of strings attached to a long neck (with fingerboard) and rounded wooden body. The * is similar, but with a shorter neck. The strings are picked (plucked) with the fingers, similar to a guitar. Each pair of strings is tuned to the same note, giving a fuller sound with vibrato.
The * has four courses (pairs) of strings attached to a long neck (with fingerboard) and rounded wooden body. The * is similar, but with a shorter neck. The strings are picked (plucked) with the fingers, similar to a guitar. Each pair of strings is tuned to the same note, giving a fuller sound with vibrato.
The * has four or five strings attached to a neck (with fingerboard) and circular body, over which is stretched a skin (similar to a drum). The strings are picked (plucked) with the fingers, similar to a guitar.
The * has four or five strings attached to a neck (with fingerboard) and circular body, over which is stretched a skin (similar to a drum). The strings are picked (plucked) with the fingers, similar to a guitar.
The * has four or five strings attached to a neck (with fingerboard) and circular body, over which is stretched a skin (similar to a drum). The strings are picked (plucked) with the fingers, similar to a guitar.
The * has four or five strings attached to a neck (with fingerboard) and circular body, over which is stretched a skin (similar to a drum). The strings are picked (plucked) with the fingers, similar to a guitar.
The * has a triangular wooden body, across which are stretched 20-40 strings of increasing length. The strings are picked (plucked) with the fingers. It is smaller than the 'orchestral' or 'concert' harp.
The * has a triangular wooden body, across which are stretched 20-40 strings of increasing length. The strings are picked (plucked) with the fingers. It is smaller than the 'orchestral' or 'concert' harp.
Word bank:
Word bank:
Accordion (Great Highland) Bagpipes Bodhran Bouzouki Celtic Harp Fiddle Flute Mandolin Uilleann Pipes Violin Whistle
Accordion (Great Highland) Bagpipes Bodhran Bouzouki Celtic Harp Fiddle Flute Mandolin Uilleann Pipes Violin Whistle
Activity 4: Improvising Solos to the Kesh Jig
Activity 4: Improvising Solos to the Kesh Jig
Developing the music with improvised ornaments (decorations) is a common feature in Celtic folk music. You will use similar skills to improvise a solo to the Kesh Jig.
As a group, play Part A (bars 1-8) of the Kesh Jig. You might play the drum rhythm, drone, simple melody or original melody.
Using similar pentatonic pitches (GABDE), 'swing' rhythms and phrasing (8 bars long), one player improvises a solo. It might be an ornamented (decorated) version of the Kesh Jig, it might be contrasting. (B flat instruments use ABC#EF#, E flat instruments use EF#G#BC#).
Following the solo, the group plays the original Kesh Jig together again.
Repeat the pattern 'tutti* - solo - tutti - solo - tutti' until each member of the group has performed a solo (*tutti means everyone together).
More Celtic Folk Music
More Celtic Folk Music
Celtic Folk Songs.pdfCeltic Folksongs (Airs)
The Wild Rover (Traditional Celtic, c.1600s)
Black Is The Colour (Traditional Scottish, c.1700s)
Molly Malone (Traditional Irish, 1700s)
Skye Boat Song (Traditional Scottish, c.1780)
Ye Banks and Braes (Traditional Scottish, c.1790)
Auld Lang Syne (Traditional Scottish, c.1800)
The Rose of Tralee (Traditional Irish, c.1800s)
Wild Mountain Thyme (Traditional Scottish, c.1800s, varied c.1950s)
Spancil Hill (Traditional Irish, c.1870)
She Moved Through The Fair (Traditional Celtic, c.1900)
Raglan Road (Traditional Irish, 1940s)
Celtic Folk tunes
Reels (simple quadruple metre: 4/4)
The Concertina Reel (traditional Irish)
Drowsy Maggie (traditional Irish)
Jigs (compound duple metre: 6/8)
The Kesh Jig
The Rakes of Kildare
Polkas (simple duple metre: 2/4)
The Kerry Polka
Hornpipes (simple quadruple metre emphasising beats 1 & 3: 4/4 or 2/2)
The Boys of Bluehill
Marches (simple duple metre: 2/4)
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