AOS 4: Folk Music And Capercaillie - Skye Waulking Song

Question 1

Texture of Skye Waulking Song

Answer 1

A layered texture has been created through:

A rhythmic pattern on the drum kit
A bass line by the bass guitar
Chords on the accordion and synthesisers
Main melody sung by voice
Countermelodies on other instruments (violin, piano, unilleann pipes, bouzouki)

N.C. In the score means no chords - accompaniment drops out
With modulation means the digital effect is applied to the synthesiser chord, making the pitch fluctuate slightly (like vibrato).
The chord that opens the song is a cluster chord - a chord whose notes are all next to each other.

Question 2

Instrumentation of Skye Waulking song

Answer 2

• Drum kit
• Bass guitar
• Synthesiser
• Accordion
• Violin
• Voice

Unusual instruments include:

• Wurlitzer piano - a type of early electric piano
• Uilleann pipes - like bagpipes but with a softer tone
• Bouzouki - a type of lute from Greece

Question 3

Structure of Skye Waulking song

Answer 3

The overall structure is

Introduction - instrumental and vocals enter
Verse 1 - voice and accompaniment
Verse 2 - voice and accompaniment then instrumental
Coda - short vocal phrases echo them the accomp fades out.

Vocals enter between 4 different phrases (each 1 bar long) in a call and response pattern:

Phrase 1: call (in Gaelic, starts on high D)
Refrain 1: response (vocables, start on a mid B)
Phrase 2: call (in Gaelic, starts on low D)
Refrain 1: response (vocables, start on a high E)

Question 4

Melody of Skye Waulking song

Answer 4

The vocal melody is:
Pentatonic (based on five note scale) (E minor pentatonic)

Uses a low register - soloists part is noted in vocal tenor clef so its an octane lower than printed.

Mainly syllabic

Alternates between one bar phrases / calls and vocables / response.

(Gaelic is a language spoken in some parts of Scotland. Vocables are nonsense syllables.)

The instrumentalists play shot motifs and countermelodies based on the vocal phrases. E.g. The instrumental beak is based on refrain 2.

Uses call and response

Question 5

Rhythm and metre of Skye Waulking song

Answer 5

The piece is noted in 12/8 (compound quadruple metre)

Frequent syncopation in vocal line and instrumental countermelodies.

The hi-hat pattern creates cross rhythms in the first 24 bars.
When the full band enters, the hi-hat changes and more clearly emphasises 12/8.

Lilting effect.

Question 6

Harmony and tonality of Skye Waulking song

Answer 6

It’s in G major

It’s entirely diatonic

The three main chords used are G, Em and C

Because the dominant chord (D) is avoided, the music has a modal feel

Question 7

Context of Skye Waulking Song

Answer 7

It comes from the album Nàdurra

It was released in 2000

The text for this song is taken from a long lament called John, son of the King of Ireland.

Waulking is the name given to the process of pounding tweed cloth against a wooden board to soften in - a job women used to do and song whilst doing it.

Capercaillie is a Scottish band that got together at school and started recording albums in 1984.

Question 8

Tempo of Skye Waulking song

Answer 8

It’s described as walking pace.