The Bagpipes have been used continuously through the course of history and throughout many cultures.The history of bagpipes, much like its origins are elusive. The bagpipes were reported to have been played by Roman emperors to French and Scottish kings. Cultures around the world have used the bagpipes in many ceremonial occasions such as weddings, dances, wars, funerals and various other occasions. People have fought hard to keep the essence of piping a-live. Bagpiping’s The bagpipes contributions to society have been great, and no other country has tried harder to preserve its spiritual essence than Scotland. The bagpipes have long been a mystery to civilization. Their origins have been traced to the East and dated back thousands of years. …show more content…
One of the least known contributing factors was that of the Great Highland Bagpipe. The Highlanders for centuries used oral traditions to pass information down their lineage. One tradition that was held very sacred to the Highlanders was the story of the bagpipe. More so was the tradition of playing bagpipes. In order to keep the musical notation accurate, they developed a notation called Canntaireachd which is an oral form of note executions. These executions, when translated in playing on the pipes, are performed to the full extent of precision. The family that has given more to piping than any other is the MacCrimmons who were Hereditary pipers to the MacLeods. Archibald Campbell, who was an avid piper and historian, compiled a book called The Kilberry Book of Ceol Mor, in which he compiled many manuscripts.. Another painstaking process to keep the spirit of bagpiping alive, The Kilberry Book is in essence the classical music of piping, as Archibald Campbell states in his introduction. “The word Piobaireachd means literally pipe playing or pipe music, but for 150 years at least, it has been used as a name for a classical music of the character with which this book deals, and it will be so used as convenience sake, throughout the following notes” (Campbell 6). Campbell also expressed that the person who has one of the greatest effects is Joseph Macdonald of Kilmore who wrote a treatise around the year 1760, when he traveled to India. He called the treatise The Complete Theory of the Scots Highland Bagpipes. Unfortunately, he died on the trip to India. Although he died, his brother got the manuscript and published it for him. Joseph also compiled Original Terms and Traditions that were taught by the “Piping Masters.” Campbell recalls upon the traditions of the bagpipes in Joseph Macdonald’s book. He quotes Joseph Macdonald's thoughts “Joseph Macdonald begins his treatise with a list of ‘the
The theme of Hugh Garner's 'The Sound of Hollyhocks'; concerns one of Canada's most serious social problems. The theme suggests how condescension and discrimination can have devastating effects on the people around us. The story is set in Pinehills Clinic where alcoholics and psychotics are placed to recover. Wilf Armstrong, an alcoholic at the clinic, ends up with 'Rock Hudson';, who is a psychotic at the hospital, as his roommate. 'Rock Hudson'; was the nickname given to William Cornish Ranson by some of the other alcoholics. Rock was forced into mental illness by his mother because his wife, Sarah, was from a different social class. Rock comes from a rich family and he met Sarah at one of his father's branch of banks. They got married secretly because Rock knew that his mother would object such a marriage since Sarah came from a poorer and less prestigious background. The first meeting between Sarah and Rock's mother proved to be a disaster. Due to Rock's mother's disapproval of Sarah, Sarah and Rock's marriage starts to fall apart. One thing leads to another, and Sarah and Rock's marriage ends with Sarah's abrupt death. This pushes Rock into his present state of hearing flowers talk to him. This is a great example of how social problems such as condescension and discrimination can have devastating effects on those around us. If Rock's mother had not shown such hostility towards Sarah and Rock, they wouldn't have grown apart and Sarah would not have died and Rock would not have gone crazy. So Rock's mother, who originally just wanted the best for his son, becomes the person that pushes Rock into his mental illness, which ultimately lead to his death. Things like this happen every day in Canada and around the world. Awhile ago, several 'skinheads'; were tried for beating a Sikh man to death due to racial and religious differences.
I have chosen to write this essay on the drum kit, which is an instrument that I play myself. The drum is one of the oldest instruments known to man and has been used by many cultures around the world. Primitive tribal societies used drums to celebrate victory in battle as well as in ritual dance and worship to the deities. The drum kit (also known as the drum set or trap set), however, is an American invention whose rise was seen in the late 19th century. This is an instrument that has taken the work of several percussionists and turned it into something that can be mastered by one; a phenomenal contraption that has only gotten better with time and continues to develop over the years.
If you have ever watched the television show “Survivor” or a “Foster’s” commercial you have probably heard that annoying but rather interesting noise in the background music. The instrument that is capable of making such a strange noise is called a didgeridoo. The didgeeridoo is a strange type of trumpet that is used by the Aboriginal people of northern Australia. It is used just as we use our musical instruments for singing and dancing or ceremony and entertainment. It is thought to be one of the oldest instruments still used around the world today. It’s recorded history goes back nearly 1500 years but it is probable that it has been around much longer.
Practicing the song and motions for the Waseca Marching Indoor Concert is nerve-racking, especially since this will be the final opportunity to practice with the high school band. I walk into the dim gymnasium and line up with the woodwinds. When all of the other musicians are in line with their sections, a bass drummer signals for the music to begin. I completely forget about my uncertainty and focus entirely on the music and the motions. While I play I remind myself what the next move is and I verify that I am moving with the woodwinds. After the song is over I am confident that I will do well for the Indoor Concert. Being in the Waseca Marching Band is difficult considering that it is necessary to memorize the actions and the music, and
Though the formation of our modern-day Concert Band does not date back quite as far as our modern-day Wind Ensemble, the extent of events, groups, composers, and advancements is quite similar. The evolution of the Concert Band dates back to the French Revolution. Large bands, full of unique instruments and amateur musicians, were required to play at festivals and ceremonies. Similar to the evolution of the Wind Ensemble, the Concert Band is derived from military purposes. Instruments, such as the trumpets, horns, and drums, were often used for signaling. In contrast to Wind Ensemble musicians, these Concert Band musicians never played their instruments for military enjoyment. The Concert Band musicians primarily played instruments to signal to the guards and villages. There were a few unique instruments, however, that were desired to play a military tune. These instruments include instruments such as a flute or bagpipe. Throughout the Middle Ages, this difference in military preference led to different job opportunities. For example, a cavalry company required trumpets, horns, and trumpets. On the other hand, foot soldiers would hire flute and bagpipe
There are more than fifty different types of percussion instruments, possibly starting with the antique cymbals and maybe ending with the xylophone. There are many different classes of percussion instruments. For example there is Latin percussion instruments, Classic percussion instruments, and Modern percussion instruments. Most percussion instruments are played by shaking, using hands or using a mallet or stick and have stretched membranes. Percussion instruments also have been used to emphasize rhythm and to heighten climaxes.(1) The drums are part of the percussion instruments and is one of the world’s oldest instruments. An instrument, that is the only orchestral drums of definite pitch, is the timpani, which is also called the kettledrums.(4)
The smoke floats through the air and surrounds the village people. The eyes of everyone is on the village elder and no one speaks a word. This is a time for sharing the great history that the new generation must learn. Without written langue history and important lessons are spoken to the children of Native American villages. These stories’ hold a special meaning to the children as they are all they know about their ancestors. Often these stories have elements of mystical beings that help the Native people. In this way the people not only get a history lesson, but also a way of practicing religion. Each story is unique to the village and tribe that it was developed; however similar concerts can be seen as the
The Mohawk tribe really liked their music. They would always play it during all of their celebrations. Their music always had a nice rhythm, and it would always be different and playful. They would play it very often and their whole tribe really enjoyed it.
Drumming, over the ages, had been depicted in healing rituals, rich with images of figures holding drums embellished on cave walls and archeological sites all over the world. More recently, the therapeutic effects of group-drumming have been explored which has led to research studies providing an evidence base for considering drumming as a therapeutic intervention in its own right or as part of other programs (Blackett & Payne, 2005). In addition to being regarded as one of the oldest instruments in world history, the drum has also held different values and benefits across a diversity of cultures. For instance, drumming in American Indian culture is a traditional-based activity that has been cherished and utilized over centuries to promote self-expression and healing (Dickerson, et al., 2012).
“How Musical is Man?” was published in 1974. This book was written by John Blacking, a musician turned social anthropologist. His goal in writing this ethnography, and several other papers during this same time period, was to compare the experience of music-making that takes place within different cultures and societies throughout the world. In this book, he discusses and describes the musicology of the Venda people in South Africa. Though he does go to Africa to research and learn about the Venda people and their music, he specifically states that his book is “not a scholarly study of human musicality” (ix), but rather it is a summary (written from his point of view), which is both expressive and entertaining, of several different issues and ideas that he has seemingly been contemplating for some time.
"Music is a common experience and a large part of societies. In fact, anthropologists note that all human communities at all times and in all places, have engaged in musical behaviours. Music as a mode of human activity is a cultural phenomenon constituting a fundamental social entity as humans create music and create their relationship to music. As cultural phenomeno...
...ike that for Scots, as a tuxedo is for other culture. The bagpipes are played in Scottish parades like America has their brass bands that go in Parades.(Bagpipe History)
Traditional music and dance in Ireland have strongly survived throughout the years. Music in Ireland today has not strayed too far from that of the mid twentieth century’s music. Think back to the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Even though the year is 2014, men are wearing kilts playing old-style Irish instruments to the songs of the Irish as they are led by the young women wearing brightly colored costumes and dancing the Irish step dance. One can hear the rich sounds of the bagpipe, the beating of the drums and the sharp, up beating sounds of the fiddle as they parade past. Add something!
Women's involvement with medieval music took a variety of forms; they served at times as audience, as participant, as sponsor, and as creator. The evidence for their roles, like that for their male contemporaries, is sporadic at best. Many musical sources have been lost, and those sources that do survive only occasionally provide composer attributions. Information on specific performances is virtually non-existent, and the references to musical performances gleaned from literary allusions must be read critically. Similarly, a work of art portraying a woman musician may be representational or symbolic, or both. Yet despite these handicaps, modern scholarship reveals many ways in which medieval women were engaged with, and enriched by, the music that flourished around them.
The flute has seen many changes from its start as a singular piece of bone to the modern day silver flute with keys and an intricate mechanism. A pivotal time in the development of the flute was during the classic era and the years 1750 – 1900. Not only did the flute’s physical appearance change, but so did its role in musical works. Changes to the flute led to a growing importance in the musical realm. Although the flute was once used as an accompanying instrument, the growth during this time period led to the flute being capable of standing on its own in solo repertoire.