Celtic Music: Traditional Celtic Music: Traditional vs. New Age and Modernvs. New Age and Modern

Jillian ColeMusic 12

December 14th 2009

Celtic MusicCeltic Music

Music of the Celts *Can be pronounced

with a hard or soft “c”

Solo performance is preferred but ensembles are common *

Many different genres within “Celtic music”

Instruments *Instruments *

HarpFiddleFlute and whistleUilleann pipes AccordionGuitarBodhranVocalsOccasionally Cello

But Is It Really Celtic?

The actual Celts (diverse group of tribal societies around 1200 BC) all died out before we had any real way of knowing what their music sounded like. A more appropriate term would be traditional (depending on form). This lead some people to think that Celtic music is just another brand of folk music and should not be referred to as Celtic at all.

The Variety of Genres Within Celtic The Variety of Genres Within Celtic MusicMusic

Celtic music has several different genres which is amusing considering it is a genre of music itself

The main three in this presentation are Traditional, New Age and Modern.

TraditionalTraditional

Celtic WomanCeltic Woman

Made up of four vocalist and one fiddle player *

Have released four albums and have sold 50 million records worldwide

Have toured with Riverdance and Lord of the Dance

The ChieftainsThe Chieftains

Flute, tin whistle, bodhran, fiddle, vocals and uilleann pipes

Formed in 1962They are said to

have brought Irish music to the world’s attention *

6 Grammys

Dance and Ceili MusicDance and Ceili Music

Reels, Jigs, Hornpipes main dances *

Used in competition or for Ceilis (usually group dances)

Traditional dances (the music and steps are always the same)*

Set dances (different steps and music)

Competition instruments are usually accordion, fiddle, keyboard or flute

Pub MusicPub Music

Traditional Celtic music is often heard in pubs

Many classic songs were written to be played in pubs such as the Blackbird

This might be why there are so many reels titled “The Drunken ____”

New AgeNew Age

Main Focus*Main Focus*

Used to create inspiration, to focus and relaxMost commonly used in meditation and yogaStress managementHypnotic feelingUsed for healingMany popular themes used

EnyaEnya

Vocalist from IrelandStarted by doing the

soundtrack for the documentary “Celts”

Was also featured in Lord of the Rings

She is often described as New Age but her Irish roots give it an Irish feel (when she uses Gaelic)*

ModernModern

The CorrsThe Corrs

Celtic rock groupAdd a celtic twist to

their pop songs*Vocals, tin whistle,

drums, percussion, bodhran, electric guitar, keyboards

They were around before Riverdance so it was a new sound for many people

RiverdanceRiverdance

The craze of Riverdance also brought attention to the amazing music featured inside. It used vocals, drums, fiddles, whistles and flutes.

Main Points to RememberMain Points to Remember

Traditional Modern

Traditional instruments

Tunes that have been around for centuries

More western stylePop songs with a

Celtic vibe