Take a Musical Trip: To Scotland

 Scotland is home to some of my favorite music. The traditional folk music of Scotland is melodic, often follows a pentatonic scale, and easily penetrates one to their core. With Scottish folk music, it is common to have ballads or laments and is almost guaranteed to have either a violin, a harp, or bagpipes that accompany a singer (Folk-Music).

Although the bagpipes always remind me of Scotland and The Highlands, the bagpipes are not exclusive to Scotland and actually originate from Egypt (Chalmers). That does not deter the fact that bagpipes play a large role in the culture and history of Scotland. 

This is an example of a traditional folk "Pipe Band," the North Berwick Pipe Band, performing Amazing Grace and Flower of Scotland. Flower of Scotland, written by Roy Williamson in the 1960s is the unofficial national anthem that is performed at many sporting events (Wikipedia). This kind of music has such a rich tone emitted by the bagpipes and when accompanied by the snare drum radiates a sense of Scottish history and Scottish pride. This music is so powerful that it is the choice for funerals of fallen police, especially on the east coast. In the 1600s there was a lack of entertainment for the farming communities in Scotland which is where the music originates from. There were songs for war, deaths, as well as songs for traditional dances that were held. 

In Scotland, it is traditional to wear the kilt and vest when performing these traditional forms of music. Much of the music is comparable to Irish music because both countries have had influences on each other. 

An exciting development in Scotland has been that of "Contemporary-Traditional Folk Music." This is new music being created that follows the same style as the original traditional music. Many new artists have begun to write and perform original music that sounds like it would be played in the 1700s.

The Geese In the Bog Set by the Tannahill Weavers was on their 1979 album "The Tannahill Weavers" and is a song (or jig as it is called in Scotland) that brought them notoriety. As the singer mentions in the video the song won them the highest musical honors in Scotland. The band itself is credited as being one of the first contemporary tradition bands to incorporate the bagpipe in their music (Wikipedia). The song itself follows the theme of a traditional Scottish dance song. I love this band because they also incorporate the violin which adds to the fullness of their sound. The rhythm is fast-paced and follows a 4/4 time signature. 

Traditional Scottish music is still actively performed at many events and adds to the deep pride the country has. It is one of my dreams to attend the Scottish Highland Games and hear this music performed. 

Extra:

Amazing Grace is not Scottish but rather was written by Englishman John Newton in 1779, however, it is one of the most popular songs played on the bagpipes. It is always an experience that causes self-reflection for me. The lyrics are beautiful but the sound of the bagpipe adds a heaviness to it that cannot be described, only experienced. The following rendition was performed at Ahoy Rotterdam for Music Show Scotland. 

References:

Chalmers, Tori. “A Brief History of the Bagpipe.” Culture Trip, The Culture Trip, 29 July 2017, A Brief History of the Bagpipe (theculturetrip.com).

“Flower of Scotland.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 June 2021, Flower of Scotland - Wikipedia.

“Scottish Folk Music.” Folk Music RSS, Scottish Folk Music (music-folk.com).

“The Tannahill Weavers.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 June 2021, The Tannahill Weavers - Wikipedia.