Discover the Scottish music

Intro :

Scotland is internationally known for its traditional music, which has remained dynamic throughout the Xxth century, when many traditional forms worldwide lost popularity to pop music. In spite of emigration and a well-developed connection to music imported from the rest of the europe and the united states, the music of scotland has kept many of its traditional aspects ; indeed, it has itself influenced many forms of music. Many outsiders associate Scottish folk music almost completely with the great Highland pipe, which has long played an important part of scottish music although it is not the only scottish bagpipe. In fact, it exists many sorts of bagpipes, which I will present you later.

First part, folk music and its instruments.

The oldest forms of music in scotland are the Gaelic singing and the harp playing. Even though much of the harp tradition was lost during the last century, it is being revived by contemporary players. The British army adopted piping, spreading the idea of pipe bands throughout the British Empire. The piping tradition is strongly connected to Gaelic singing, stepdance, and violin, which is called « fiddle ». Bagpipes are frequently used in weddings or in céilidhs which are traditional Gaelic gatherings. Many modern bands are becoming more lively and innovative, with influences from other types of music.

Vocal music is also popular in the Scottish musical tradition. There are ballads and laments which are generally sung by a lone singer even if he can be accompagnied by traditional instruments such as harp, fiddle or accordion. We find a lot of different traditional folk songs which may be melodic or rousing. Popular songs were originally produced by music-hall performers as Harry Lauder, described by Churchill as « Scotland's greatest ever ambassador » without forget Andy Stewart or the Alexander Brothers.

Now let me present you the different instruments which are