Songs in any culture teach you about the history of that culture. Sometimes that culture has mysteries woven into the very fabric of daily life; stories of the Little People, of Giants or of monsters in the Loch. Celtic music speaks about the political and social issues as well as war, death, life and love. In Gaelic speaking Ireland song entered into every aspect of life from birth to work to keening for the dead. References in ancient sagas, medieval texts, even in the works of Dante and Shakespeare, all attest the importance of music, both vocal and instrumental, in Celtic realms. Celtic Music is a term used to describe traditional music from Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Breton, Manx and Cornish folk-songs.
Traditionally, the most popular type of song in Celtic music is the ballad. Ballads are stories written in verse and intended to be set to music. They often tell sad stories and what makes them even more haunting is the fact that, in most cases, we do not know who wrote them. These songs continue to be an important part of the Celtic tradition and give a unique view into the past.
Instruments
The principal instruments identified with Celtic music are the harp, the bagpipe and the fiddle. The harp is common to all Celtic areas. Harpers, many of them blind, flourished in Ireland, Wales and Scotland until the 18th century, when political, religious and social changes threatened the extinction of their language and their culture. The harp was used both for accompaniment and as a solo instrument. It was the instrument which incited Highlanders to battle until it ceded that role to the bagpipe after the Battle of Harlaw in 1411.
The bagpipe has a long history in Celtic society. The war-pipes and small pipes of Scotland, the Uilleanann pipes of Ireland, and the biniou, a smaller instrument played in Brittany only in accompaniment with the bombard, all had their own music, and all are still very much part of the music in their respective areas.
The fiddle tradition goes back several hundred years and was largely aural (not oral); meaning that the music wasn't written down; tunes were transmitted by ear. Regional styles developed isolation across Ireland, so the music of the West had different sounds, techniques and tunes than music of the North or South.
Additional instruments commonly used in Celtic music include: The bodhrán is the heartbeat of Irish music. This ancient framedrum is traditionally made with a wooden body and a goat-skin head, and is played with a double-headed stick called a cipín, tipper, or beater. The modern Irish word bodhrán is pronounced bow-rawn, like Cow brawn, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable; flutes are traditional folk instruments, also known as Celtic or tin flutes, and include penny whistles, and were popularized by one well-known movie. The haunting theme from Titanic catapulted the Irish folk instrument into the hearts of millions. Just a few poignant notes bring tears to your eyes. Most Irish style flutes are made of wood. Some include a key system, some are strictly wooden instruments. Flutes known as whistles are made of metal, usually tin or a cheap metal. Look for these instruments being played by local bands at the Aztec Highland Games & Celtic Festival!
Lord of the Dance
Another important aspect of this classic music that has transcended generations is the dancing. The most commonly known types are Scottish and Irish step dancing. This long standing tradition is one of the most beloved in Ireland and Scotland and many people of Celtic descent in other countries learn step dancing as a way to keep in touch with their heritage. Our new festival will feature Scottish and Irish dance exhibitions.
Ceilidhs
Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) music and dancing is another aspect of Irish music that is worth noting. The popularity of ceilidh dancing has spread far beyond its original Celtic homelands, and this lively music provides a perfect setting for couples, both young and old, to take to the dance-floor and have fun. So what is a Ceilidh? Ceilidh is a Gaelic word depicting a gathering or sharing of food, music and dance.We are looking for Participants, Volunteers, and Donations!
If you would like to participate as an athlete, vendor, volunteer, or have a clan tent, please give us a call! We are also looking for sponsorships – we have multiples levels with matching recognition - and donations to make sure our first year is a huge success! Vendor and Athlete forms can be found on our website: www.aztechighlandgames.com.
