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…
Pipes have been traced back to Ancient Egypt. Romans used the bagpipes and they attributed their bagpipes to the Greeks. Frank Timoney writes in his history of the bagpipes an account of Caesar, “These pipers were employed by the state permeating life in the city of Rome. Even Gaius Julius Caesar recounted that the vision of a piper beckoned him to cross the Rubicon” (Timoney). The Romans borrowed the idea of bagpipes from the Greeks, then made them stronger to fit their personal needs. The Romans decided that they liked a louder pipe, so they retrofitted them with harder reeds giving them a louder sound. As Caesar mentioned in the quote, he had a piper beckoning him to cross the Rubicon. This is one of the first times in history the use of bagpipes was recorded to go into battle. The Romans might not have been the first civilization to make bagpipes; although, they were the first documented to change the essence of piping. The Romans were also the first documented civilization to put bagpipes to use in battle and use a pipe band in entertainment. Frank Timothy recalls again, “According to Ovid, pipers dressed up in fanciful garb. A procession of two hundred pipers was organized in 284 A.D. at the Roman Circus by Carinus. It is with the Emperor Nero, in the first century A.D. that we have the first definite mention of the bag applied to reed pipes” (Timothy). It is amazing to recall that an instrument has been used for over 2000 years in basically the same manner that it has always been used. Emperor Nero, one of the greatest emperors of Rome, saw the value in bagpipes. Nero played the pipes as Frank Timothy mentions, “His use of a bag is actually confirmed by Dio Chrysdstom who mentions Nero's use of the bagpipe in the second half of the first century A.D, as a means of avoiding 'the reproach of Athena’” (Timothy). By the time the bagpipes reached Rome, their circulation had passed more than a millennia, their attributes evolved in Africa and spread to Greece and then onto the Romans. Each culture that received pipes from the previous culture has adapted them for their own pleasure, the way they thought it would benefit them the most. The Romans, as mentioned, liked more volume and strength from their instruments, and nd they adapted reeds to suit their needs. Romans were synonymous for their legions and their great battle victories. Likewise, the Romans have been studied for millennia as their battle tactics were highly effective. The one place in the whole Roman empire that Romans could not control was the north of Scotland, Hingley et al. explains, “As a result of over three centuries of antiquarian and archaeological investigation we now have a detailed understanding of the origin of this frontier work it was built in the AD 120s, during the reign of the emperor Hadrian. Our confidence in the modern chronology and the depth of our understanding of the component parts have created a situation in which this is perhaps the best-understood frontier of the Roman Empire” (760).The end of the Roman Empire was the beginning of the Pictish Empire. Although the Picts were fearless fighters, the Romans did have a bag of tricks. hey used the bagpipes on the Celtic tribes Whose? their response to the musical instrument left them who? dumbfounded. Frank Timoney wrote in his article for ancient bagpipes “Celtic tribes in England worshipped the bagpipe! The legend says that Caesar, during the conquest of Britain, in an effort to keep the Roman casualties to a minimum, decided to ambush the Celtic forces and frighten the forces of their mounted troops. He did this by gathering together all of the players of the UTRICULARIS and caused them to lay in concealment, and at the prearranged signal, all of the pipers played at once. The Celtic horses bolted, threw their riders and the Roman Army rushed in and annihilated the force. When the Britons understood the cause of their defeat, they immediately considered the bagpipe an instrument of divine nature with magical qualities. For this reason, they were lured by its sound to the point of idolizing and worshipping it to conquer its magic” (Timoney). From this point in history, the Scottish have admired the essence and spirituality of the bagpipes, and it has become one of the greatest gifts an invading party has ever bestowed upon their enemies. The power and magic of the pipes is awe-inspiring to a fierce race of people. It has been from that time an obsession of the Celtic people. The bagpipes are still in use today, and are numerous. Of course this is not the sole source of bagpiping, as there are many contributing factors in the story of how Britain got bagpipes. The earliest contributing factor that we know of is the Romans. There are thousands of styles of the instrument, all of which are intriguing in their own special way. We know that Scotland has taken bagpipes into fond regard, as it is the national instrument. It is unfortunate that history can be forgotten so easily. It has been a challenging task to pinpoint the history of bagpipes and its whereabouts during its history. We do, on occasion, get a rare treat from the archives. One of these treats comes from a renowned highland dancer Charlie Mill. The routes to one of the most famous highland dances “The Sword Dance” was noted to take place around 1040 AD. Most of us are familiar with the Shakespearean play Macbeth, which took roots from real life events. Macbeth’s title was the Earl of Moray who was said to have killed King Duncan of Scotland. Malcolm Canmore was the son of King Duncan and is also thought to be the father figure of today's sword dance. Charlie Mill wrote “Malcolm fled to England and took refuge there, dreaming always of returning to Scotland and reclaiming his father's throne. After long years Malcolm went north with an army and defeated Macbeth at Dunsinane Hill and later completed the conquest in a final battle at Lamphanan in Aberdeenshire, slaying his enemy Macbeth. It was after this battle it is said Malcolm crossed his sword with that of the slain Macbeth and danced in triumph. We can see that the Sword Dance evolved from a war-like history so when we perform the dance we must remember this story. This is a battle dance and all foot movements must be precise and strong” (Mill). The Sword Dance nowadays has many variants, yet the one constant that is present in the Sword Dance is that it will always be accompanied by a piper. There are many other dances that are accompanied by pipers, which either raised spirits of people or assisted in decimating them. There a few mentions of pipers in the Medieval period, they were painted in illuminated scripts, and also carved into wood and stone, and even churches had a fond regard for bagpipes. David Stephens Mentions some of these instances in his article, History At The Margins: Bagpipers In Medieval Manuscripts. In one mention the pipes were used in pilgrimages, A lollard John thorpe was held on trial for heresy in 1402 AD. he complained about the impious use of bagpipes during pilgrimages, he recounted how the Archbishop of Canterbury's replied to his case. “And the archbishop said to me:.. 1 sav to thee that it is right wel done, that Pilgrimes haue[have] with them bothe singers and also pipers, that whan one of them that goeth barefote striketh his too upon a stone, and hurteth hvm sore, and maketh hvm to blede: it is wel done that he or his felow begin than a song, or els take out of his bosome a bagpipe for to drive awav wvth such mirth the hurt of his felow. For with such solace the trauel and werines of pvlgryms is lightly and merrily brought forth.”(Stephens 42) The case of John Thorpe case was allegedly held on the grounds of sins of the flesh, where Thorpe professed merrymaking was considered sinful. Stephens also quotes on the subject of arousal of passion from the instruments on page 42 “We must return to 'the sins of the flesh' for an adequate explanation: merrymaking was often frowned upon in the Middle Ages and bagpipes, particularly, were thought to arouse people's passions to complete abandonment”(Stephens). We can certainly tell why Thorpe was anxious about the use of bagpipes on pilgrimages, and it is also good to see that a man of high repute defended their honour, and tell of the spiritual essence that is essential to life. Scotland has had many contributing factors to the musical world.
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
original Terms of Art belonging to the Bagpipe as they were invented and taught by the first Masters of this Instrument in the Islands of Mull and Sky. ‘Here This confirmation of the traditions about the preeminence of the MacCrimmons’, and of the origin of the MacArthur’s in Mull or Ulva.’He gives us some account of the character of the highland bagpipe music. This is of three kinda-marches[adagio-tunes], jigs and reels-and by marches he means what we call Piobaireachd. Neither quickstep marches nor strathspeys are mentioned. Marches he says are the slowest Species of all pipe music. The original design of the
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
The book America’s Musical Landscape starts by looking back to early North American Music from the American Indians, to the religious and non religious music of the European and African settlers. According to the book “Native American music was and is song, sometimes supported by instruments.”1 The Native American used different types of instruments to accompany their songs or chants such as the drums, flute and rattles. Like music for us today the Native Americans used music in all different aspects of their lives. The early European settlers br...
The Native American flute is the third oldest known musical instrument in the world, with bone flutes dating back over 60,000 years. The first instrument found were drums, then varies whistle were made. Over time, the instrument evolved with many different materials and shapes. And these difference and changes reflect the culture of that time. Virtually, flutes were used all types of hardwoods and softwoods in history. They had many different configurations, 2, 3, 4,5,6,7 or 8 holes. The flute we used in class is 6 holes, and we also saw many different flutes in class, someone smaller, someone larger, someone with 3 holes, etc. The oldest flutes we have were made from wing bones of a Griffon Vulture [1] and a Whooper Swan [2], as well as one from mammoth tusk ivory [3].
Popular instruments include clay panpipes, flutes, conch shell trumpets, and puma-skin drums”(Falconer, Kieran, and Quek 102). The music follows themes of religion, war, and profanity. Peruvians are always found dancing, whether at a festival, carnival, or just for fun. Music shows important parts of Peruvian culture. There are many types of dance in Peru.
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.
...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)
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.
“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.
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 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).
"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...
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 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 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.