Capercaillie Flashcards
What time signature is the piece in?
It’s in 12/8 - four beat in a bar. Strong rhythm to keep workers in time. At some points, the singer’s part is in 12/8 while the hi-hats playing 3 beats in a bar, makes it feel like 3/4.
What is the melody based around?
A Pentatonic scale
What instruments are used? And what pitch are they in?
A mix of traditional and modern. The fiddle, pipes, whistle, accordion and bouzouki (trad)
The guitar, bass, drum lit and keyboard (modern)
All play in their middle range
What is the texture of the piece?
It has a polyrhythmic texture - lots of different rhythms playing.
The singer has a different rhythm to the rest of the band.
How does the piece end?
Fades out
What are the key features of section 1?
Very traditional with a simple beat.
In E minor - chords change between Emin and Gmaj
Quite quiet and peaceful
The main focus is on the singer
What are the key features of section 2?
The rhythm section (drum and bass) play in this section - they drive it forward.
It’s in Gmaj (relative major of Emin)
Generally much louder (apart from one bit where the drums and bass stop)
A pipe solo that uses some of the vocal melody line in it’s improvisation.
Harmonised backing vocals.
What are the features of the lyrics?
The song is in scots gaylic. It has two main verses and two ‘inserts’
The inserts are an example of vocables - an important part of folk music as everyone can join in.
The two verses are split by a pipe solo.
The Skye waulking song is different to traditional waulking songs as it has no chorus.
It has a strophic structure - meaning the melody is the same for both verses.
