The first house in connaught the copper plate reel

The Chapter 9 Music Journal - Ireland; The Chapter 10 Music Journal - West Africa

CHAPTER 9—‘NOT THE SAME, BUT JUST AS NICE’: TRADITIONS AND TRANSFORMATIONS IN IRISH MUSIC

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The Chieftains

A traditional Irish band formed in Dublin in November 1962, by Paddy Moloney - uilleann pipes, Sean Potts - tin whistle, and Michael Tubridy - flute.

The Chieftains.jpg

Complete the following Chapter 9 Music Journal and save it in WORD (.docx).

Attach a file of your Chapter 9 Music Journal Responses (provide a copy/paste into the text box as a back up) and submit with your responses to the Chapter 10 Music Journal in the same file as well.

Your Name

The Chapter 9 Objectives

In this chapter students will learn about:

· Historical and cultural context behind the development of Irish traditional music

· Three major styles of Irish music: traditional, neo-traditional, and post-traditional

· Instruments of Irish music (as well as selected vocal traditions)

· Major practitioners of the major styles, including Seamus Ennis, Sean Ó’Riada and Ceoltóirí Cualann, The Chieftains, Planxty, Altan, and Eileen Ivers.

· The effects of the Irish diaspora on the development of pan-Irish musical styles

Overview

Through centuries of struggle against British control and changing social, political, and cultural conditions, Irish music—particularly traditional Irish dance music—served as a centerpiece of Irish identity and social life. However much some elements of Irish music were transformed by contact with other cultures during the Irish diaspora, dance tune forms, medley-based musical designs, instruments, and rhythms remained essentially the same.

Following an overview of Irish history and Irish music, this chapter traces the evolutions and transformations of Irish dance music from its most traditional styles of the early 20th century through the Irish music revival, neo-traditional and post-traditional, since the 1960s. Case studies focusing on major practitioners guide students through this musical journey, which though focused mainly on the dance tune tradition also encompasses key dimensions of Irish vocal music including sean nós.

Our Chapter 9 Music Journal

Part 1: The Informative Contents

The following series of activities is designed to provide a basic understanding of Irish music, a repertoire of terms of musical sounds for use in discussions of Irish music, and charts to allow quick identification of characteristics and sounds.

1. Listen to the three performances heard back-to-back on Online Musical Illustration #24 http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073526649/student_view0/musical_illustrations.html Links to an external site. and use the following chart to make comments and observations about the style, instrumentation, melodic patterns, rhythm, texture, etc. of the examples. Note: Each of the three audio clips is a treatment of one characteristic Irish melodic figure.

Instrumentation (Instruments you notice being used)

Comments/Observations

Traditional

Neo-traditional

Post-Traditional

· Next, listen to the examples of dance rhythms, scale types, and ornamentations typically heard in Irish traditional music in the Musical Guided Tour (Irish Traditional Dance Tunes) at the Online Learning Center, http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073526649/student_view0/musical_guided_tours.htmlLinks to an external site.

· Read and follow along with the audio on page 165 to become familiar with these stylistic traits and learn to recognize them in listening exercises throughout this chapter and when listening to other examples of Irish music.

· Read the Irish Music and Celtic Music and Cultures section (“Insights and Perspectives” box, page 169).

· As you listen to the recordings for this chapter notice the six unifying characteristics found in Irish music.

1. Prevalence of melodies based on specific scales and modes (major, Dorian, Mixolydian)

2. Identifiable styles of melodic ornamentation

3. Use of certain types of instruments (fiddles, pipes, flutes)

4. Dance tunes based on common dance rhythms (usually in duple or four-beat meters)

5. Standard forms for songs and dance tunes (e.g. AABB forms for dance tunes)

6. A close integration of music making with dancing

2. Scan through the chapter and identify instruments used in Irish traditional music. Complete the chart below including descriptions of the instruments, musical styles in which they are used, and comments about timbre or other characteristics that may aid in identifying a particular instrument when listening to Irish music. Other instruments beyond those on the list below may be added as well.

Instrument

Description

Styles of Music the Instrument is used in

Comments

Tinwhistle

Uilleann pipes

Flute

Fiddle

Accordion

Bodhrán

Guitar

Irish bouzouki

Drumset

Irish Music in Context

Read the introductory information on Irish music (pages 157-160), the section on Irish Music in Context (Pages 160-162), and An Introduction to Irish Traditional Music (pages 162-164). Provide a brief response to the following questions of the historical and cultural issues surrounding the development of Irish traditional music.

3. What impact did the Irish potato famine have on the struggle for independence from Britain?

4. Identify the five main categories of Irish traditional music.

5. What are the most common forms of Irish dance music?

6. Explain the difference between a Session and a Ceílí.

Traditional Irish Dance Tunes and Medleys

Seamus Ennis played several major roles in the preservation of traditional Irish music, including performer (tin whistle player and, especially, uilleann pipes player), collector of songs, radio host, and folklorist.

7. Listen to “The Cuckoo’s Hornpipe” CD3-6 and use the chart below to record your observations on melody, dance rhythms, form, ornamentation, etc.

“The Cuckoo’s Hornpipe”, Seamus Ennis, CD3-6

Time/Structure

Text comments

Your Comments/Observations

First Statement of Melody (AA’BB’)

0:00—0:11 = A

0:11—0:21 = A’

0:21—0:31 = B

0:31—0:40 = B’

Second Statement of Melody (AA’BB”)

0:40—0:49 = A

0:50—0:59 = A’

0:59—1:08 = B

1:09—1:18 = B’

Conclusion of Performance

1:18—1:28

8. Listen to Ennis’s uilleann pipe performance on CD3-7 and use the chart below to record your observations on melody, dance rhythms, form, ornamentation, etc. Compare the style of this performance with Ennis’s tinwhistle performance in the previous example (CD3-6).

“The First House in Connaught/The Copper Plate Reel” (Medley), Seamus Ennis, CD3-7

Time/Structure

Textbook comments

Your Comments/Observations

“The First House in Connaught”

First Statement of Melody (AA’BB”)

0:00—0:10 = A

0:10—0:18 = A’

0:18—0:26 = B

0:27—0:34 = B’

Second Statement of Melody (AA’BB’)

0:34—0:42 = A

0:43—0:51 = A’

0:51—0:59 = B

0:59—1:07 = B’

“The Copper Plate Reel”

First Statement of Melody (AA’BB”)

1:08—1:15 = A

1:16—1:24 = A’

1:24—1:32 = B

1:32—1:40 = B’

Second Statement of Melody (AA’BB’)

1:40—1:48 = A

1:49—1:56 = A’

1:57—2:05 = B

2:05—End = B’

9. The Modern Ensemble Sound – listen to tracks CD3-8, CD-3-10, and CD3-11. Place a check mark below where applicable for characteristics you notice.

Characteristic

CD3-8

CD3-10

CD3-11

Performances are by groups

Variation in performance styles and textures in the playing of dance tune melodies is common

--Unison ornamented melody

--Varied versions of a single melody (heterophony)

--Divided-up melody

--Jazz-or rock-influenced textures featuring solo improvisation

Chording instruments are very prominent in the musical texture

Chordal accompaniment of dance tunes is highly developed

The rhythmic accompaniment patterns of the chording instruments often exhibit outside influences

Percussion instruments are sometimes used to reinforce the dance rhythms

Function of music to be listened to but not danced to

10. Read pages 176-177, about The Chieftains and their performance of “The Dingle Set”, then play CD ex. # 3-8. First, listen for evidence of traditional Irish musical practices as well as more modern influences (e.g., the modern ensemble sound as outlined above). Then use the chart below to note observations and comparison with other musical examples.

· Tap your foot or pat the beat with your finger or clap your hands while listening to the performance.

· Notice the spontaneous nature of traditional Irish performances compared to the more strictly arranged performances of The Chieftains.

· Notice the improvisation and ornamentation styles of Ennis and Moloney. (Moloney plays tinwhistle for the first song of the medley and uilleann pipes on the last [third] one.)

“The Dingle Set” (Medley), The Chieftains, CD3-8

Time/Structure

Textbook comments

Your Comments/Observations

“Far from Home”

AABB AABB

0:00—0:07 = A

0:08—0:15 = A

0:16—0:23 = B

0:24—0:31 = B

0:32—0:39 = A

0:40—0:46 = A

0:47—0:55 = B

0:56—1:02 = B

“Gladstone”

AB AB

1:03—1:10 = A

1:11—1:18 = B

1:19—1:26 = A

1:27—1:34 = B

“The Scartaglen”

AB AB AB AB

1:35—1:42 = A

1:43—1:50 = B

1:51—1:58 = A

1:59—2:06 = B

2:07—2:14 = A

2:15—2:22 = B

2:23—2:30 = A

2:31—End = B

The 1970s: Second Generation of the Irish Music Revival

11. After reading the information on the second generation of the Irish Music Revival (pages 179-184), listen to CD3-10. First, listen for evidence of traditional Irish musical practices as well as more modern influences (especially the use of chording instruments as part of the ensemble). Then use the chart below to note your observations.

“The Emyvale/Ríl Gan Ainm/The Three Merry Sisters of Fate” (Medley), Altan, CD ex. # 3-10

Time/Structure/Key

Textbook comments

Your Comments/Observations

“The Emyvale”

ABAB

A Dorian

0:00—0:08 = A

0:08—0:16 = B

0:16—0:24 = A

0:24—0:32 = B

0:32—0:40 = A

0:40—0:48 = B

“Ríl Gan Ainm”

AABB AABB

D Dorian

0:48—1:04 = AA

1:05—1:19 = BB

Temporary modulation to C major

1:20—1:35 = AA

Back to D Dorian

1:36—1:43 = B

Modulate to C major

1:43—1:51 = B

“The Three Sisters of Fate”

AB AB AB AB A

Key alternates between D major and B Dorian

1:51—2:00 = A

2:00—2:07 = B

2:08—2:31 = ABA

2:31—2:38 = B

2:39--End—1:50 = A

The Post-Traditional World of Irish Music

Although in many diasporic communities around the world (especially in North America) Irish traditional music was tenaciously preserved as a connection to Irish culture and as a touchstone of Irish identity, musical cultures inevitably began to mix and create new styles and performance techniques. This rich cross-pollination gave rise to a transnational pan-Irish musical culture in the years since the Irish music revival of the 1960s. American-born Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers typifies the new generation of musicians, drawing upon a mosaic of styles and integrating these influences into her homebase of Irish music.

12. After reading the information on post-traditional Irish music and Ivers (pages 184-186), listen to CD3-11. First, listen for evidence of traditional Irish musical practices as well as more modern influences.

Use the chart below to note your observations for “Gravelwalk” (Medley), Eileen Ivers, CD ex. # 3-11

Time/Structure/Key

Text comments

Your Comments/Observations

0:00—0:20 = Introduction

“Fermoy Lasses”

0:21—0:28 = A

E Dorian

0:28—0:35 = A’

0:36—0:50 = AA’

0:50—1:04 = BB’

From E Dorian to G major

1:05—1:18 = AA’

0:48—1:04 = AA

1195—1:33 = BB

1:33—1:47 = A’A’

“The Noisy Curlew” [AKA “Jack McGuire’s”]

1:48—2:01 = AA’

2:02—2:15 = BB’

29

2:15—2:29 = A’A’

2:29—2:43 = ABAB

Interlude [Jazz-rock style; not based on any Irish tune]

2:43—2:57

Electric bass solo

2:58—3:22

Electric violin solo

3:23—3:26

Transition based on “Fermoy Lasses”

“Gravelwalks to Granie”

3:26—3:40 = AB

A Dorian

3:40—3:47 = C

D Major

3:47—4:01 = DD’

C major

4:01—END

ABCDD’ then D’D’D’D’ vamp to end.

u2.jpg

U2 - an extraordinary Rock Band from Dublin, Ireland

Adam Clayton - Bass, Larry Mullen Jr. - Drums, Bono - Vocalist, The Edge - Guitar

Formed in 1976, the band spawned from Punk roots and evolved to write and record music reflecting personal, love, political, and socially conscious themes. Much of their music has a powerful anthemic quality to it - the culmination of the fine musicianship each member brings to each song.

13. Click below to listen, view, and write a response to the video of 11 O'Clock Tick Tock. Describe in detail what you are hearing - take special note of the introduction and the verses that follow - the pulse, instruments being used, the range of Bono's voice, the guitar playing of The Edge, etc. 11 O'Clock Tick Tock was just their second single and was released in May of 1980. The very cool video below is from a Swedish TV program in 1981 - featuring a most youthful looking U2!

11 O'Clock Tick Tock - U2 (1980) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. https://canvas.seattlecentral.edu/images/play_overlay.png

Chapter 9 Music Journal - Part 3: Reflections

What in this chapter, was new to me?

What in this chapter, would I like to know more about?

Of the music examples from Chapter 9, which of these did you enjoy the most? Why?

Of the musical examples in Chapter 9, which did you enjoy the least or find to be challenging to listen to? Why?

Other thoughts or comments about Chapter 9

Chapter 10 Music Journal Assignment

CHAPTER 10—THE RIVER AND THE PATH: CONVERSATION AND COLLECTIVE EXPRESSION IN WEST AFRICAN MUSICS

Angelique Kidjo.jpg

Angélique Kidjo (born July 14, 1960)

Complete the following and save it in the same WORD (.docx) with your Chapter 9 Music Journal responses.

Attach your "Chapters 9 and 10 Music Journal Responses" file (and do a copy/paste into the text box too as a back up).

Your Name

The Chapter 10 Objectives

In this chapter students will learn about:

· Historical context of African music and the African diaspora

· Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the isicathamiya vocal genre of South Africa

· West African drumming in Akan Fontomfrom music

· Various drums and percussion instruments

· Unifying features and diversity of music in Africa

· The kora and its traditions and music

· Global contexts of West African music and cultural expression

Overview

Musical traditions of West Africa south of the Sahara are the principal focus of this chapter. These musics are linked by key musical Africanisms that are shown to be common to diverse African musicultural traditions as well as many traditions of the African diaspora. Selected drumming-based traditions are introduced and explored, although the tradition of a chordophone, the kora, is central. Nonpercussion-based instruments and traditions (including vocal traditions) of West Africa and other regions of the continent are introduced as well. Traditional, neo-traditional, and post-traditional forms of musical expression are encountered. Throughout the chapter, themes of polyvocality, musical conversation, and homage unify the discussion.

The atumpan is an open goblet drum on a base. It is played in pairs, usually by a master drummer using two angular sticks. The membrane is stretched across the head of the drum inside a metal ring, which is anchored to 7 to 8 conical pegs around the outside of the drum. The two atumpan drums are tuned to each other. The lowest tone is identified with the mother and symbolizes woman. The highest tone is identified with man. These two sounds are needed to send signals from one village to another. Akan languages are tonal with three tones: high, mid and low. The atumpan is therefore ideally suited to send messages.This example is an excerpt from a recording of the Akan proverb of the river and the path that opens this chapter.

1. Listen for the pitch, rhythm, and timbre patterns of the Twi tonal language are replicated by the pitch, rhythm, and timbre patterns played on the atumpan. List what you notice here in "Akan Drum Proverb" ("Talking Drum") CD3-12.

2. Click the link below to view and write a one paragraph response to this video about the Talking Drums of Akan People.