Capercaillie - Skye Waulking Song Flashcards
which instruments that are associated with rock music are used?
- synthesizer
- wurlitzer piano
- bass
- drum kit
which instruments that are typical of folk music are used?
- violin (fiddle)
- accordion
- uilleann pipes
- bouzouki
what is the time signature?
12/8 - lilting rhythms
which three chords is the piece mainly based around?
C, E minor, G (order: C -G -Em - C)
when was the song released?
2000 as part of the album ‘nàdurra’
what is waulking?
a stage in cloth makng, where woollen cloth or tweed was cleaned, thickened and softened by cloth being pounded.
what are vocables?
nonsense syllables
why are vocables used in this piece
to break up the main vocal lines and to give the vocalist time to come up with her line
what scale is the vocal melody based on?
E minor pentatonic
describe the vocal melody of the piece
- pentatonic
- low register of the voice
- syllabic
- call and response
- call in gaelic
- respone in nonsense syllables
describe the rhythms used
- syncopation in vocal melodies
- countermelodies - instrumental
- cross rhythms - hi-hat at beginning, changes when full band enters to emphasise metre
describe the texture
- layered texture
- rhythmic pattern - drum kit
- bass line - bass guitar
- chords - synthesizer and accordion
- main melody - vocals
- countermelodies - violiin, wurlitzer piano, uilleann pipes, bouzouki
describe the structure of the piece
strophic verse structure (A, A, A…)
• Verse 1 - Break - Verse 2-6 - Instrumental - Verse 7-8 - Outro
• Each verse is 4-bars, the break is 3 and the instrumental is 6
• Within the verse, it’s one line of nonsense - one line of lyric, the same again
which two instruments play a heterophonic melody during the instrumental?
uilleann pipes, fiddle
how many sections are there in the piece?
two -
section one: • Has a traditional feel • E minor chords, but changes between E minor and • G major • Is quiet and calm • Main focus is on the singer
section two: • Full rhythm section is played • In G major • It is louder • Pipe solo is heterophonic • Backing vocals are added to the harmony
What album is this song from?
Nadurra
When was this song released?
2000
What is the style of this piece?
Celtic fusion or Folk fusion
What is the home key of this piece?
G major
What is the metre of this piece?
12/8
Name 3 features of the rhythm in this piece?
- cross rhythms (created by hi-hat)
- frequent syncopation
- scotch snaps are used (short note then long note)
- when a full band enters hi-hat rhythm emphasises 12/8
What does SWS mean?
It is a working song
akin to see shanties
What does waulking mean?
The process of softening tweed
What is the structure of this piece?
Intro V1 Break V2-6 Instrumental V7-8 Outro
What language is the vocal line sang in?
Scots Gaelic
What do the instruments do around the melodic lines?
Improvise
What key is the vocal lines sung in?
E minor pentatonic
What chord is at the start?
A cluster chord
How many chords are used in the whole piece?
4
What does a change of chord sequence highlight?
A change in mood or section
What is a harmony?
completely diatonic
Only uses notes within the key
What genres are the instruments made up of?
Folk and rock instruments
What instruments are counter melodies played on?
Violin, bouzouki, ulliann pipes and wurlitzew piano
What kind of texture is created?
Hederofonic texture
as instruments play and improvise around each other and play similar parts
What is the texture in verse 7?
Monophonic
What are the dynamics like at the end of the piece?
There is a long fade out
In verse 5 and 6 what instrument provides the counter melodies?
Accordion
What texture is created throughout the piece?
A layered texture - heterophonic
How do the dynamics change in verse 7?
They drop down to leave room for the intimate vocals
where is there frequent syncopation?
in vocal and instrumental lines
what is created by the hi-hat at the start of the piece?
cross rhythm
name another type of rhythm in this piece that is not cross rhythms.
scotch snap rhythms
what does the change of chord sequence highlight?
change in mood/section
how many chords are used throught?
four
what does the cord sequence change to for one verse?
Am7 - Em- Em -G
note 2 comments about the harmony in this piece.
- diatonic harmony (aren’t unusual)
- modal feel
- ambiguous harmony until 1st verse (unclear)
where are the narrative lyrics taken from?
a collection of Gaelic folk songs (by A.Carmichael)
Why do the dynamics and texture drop down in verse 7?
to leave room for the intimate vocals.
