system
September 25, 2005, 3:19am
21
Baglady:
On the subject of drones in ancient music.
THE HISTORICAL METHOD OF THE CELTIC HARP C.W.Bayer “As we would expect, both the small harp and the newer, larger Clairseach were not based on chords or modern harmony but on > drones > . Historical Celtic harp melodies were structured on alternating > drones > --on F and G at the most basic. On the Clairseach, the ancient small harp and related instruments this alternating drone basis resulted in three scales or musics–Joy Music, Sad Music and Sleep Music. During ancient times, these “three musics” were known from the middle east through western Europe. This musical system corresponded to widely held cosmogenic ideas. The three musics are refered to in English and Arabic writings. Each of these scales resolved on two finals–the low drone and Bb. The basic tuning was f,g,a Bb,c,d,eb,f, g. Thus, as a whole the instrument could be said to have been tuned to Bb–just as Giraldus Cambrensis states in his 13th century description of Irish harpers. This music system was displaced in Helenic culture around 600 BC. Beyond strong Helenic influence this ancient musical system survived longer. Up until the systematization of music undertaken by the Persians around 900 AD and by the Roman church in western Europe soon afterward, this drone based system survived among the Arabs, the Britains, the Celts and possibly others. The last practitioners of this system–Irish players of the historical Celtic harp–died out around 1840.
We need to take a wider world view of the instrument and the music and the culture to put it all into better perspective.
Great quote
It looks to me like you are the expert here and the rest are shooting in the dark.
mukade
September 25, 2005, 3:26am
22
It’s not ‘drone = bagpipe.’
It’s ‘bagpipe = drone music.’
The drone is a harmonic base, especially for music that uses modes like ITM. Perhaps Irish music as drone music would be a better start for your research.
Mukade
Baglady
September 25, 2005, 6:54pm
23
I’m just trying to see if anyone can shoot down my theorizing. It seems I am becomeing a bit of an expert simply because I love the Great Pipe and the music it makes. I just want to KNOW about it. Yesterday someone said “You love to play that thing don’t you? You play with such passion.” I guess that is what it is about.
Baglady
September 25, 2005, 7:03pm
24
mukade:
It’s not ‘drone = bagpipe.’
It’s ‘bagpipe = drone music.’
The drone is a harmonic base, especially for music that uses modes like ITM. Perhaps Irish music as drone music would be a better start for your research.
Mukade
This discussion has helped to begin focusing things. Thanks.
Baglady:
And really, isn’t that what we are all about-being passionate about whatever instrument we are playing??
Off to play my UP
system
September 25, 2005, 10:42pm
26
Last time I played mine I got really tired of all the squalin and threw it in the cupboard where it remains TG! Instead I like to honk on an old squeeze box which is far nearer to some kind of tuning which is more than I could ever say about the muleanpipes … lol
Baglady:
On the subject of drones in ancient music.
THE HISTORICAL METHOD OF THE CELTIC HARP C.W.Bayer “As we would expect, both the small harp and the newer, larger Clairseach were not based on chords or modern harmony but on > drones > . Historical Celtic harp melodies were structured on alternating > drones > --on F and G at the most basic. On the Clairseach, the ancient small harp and related instruments this alternating drone basis resulted in three scales or musics–Joy Music, Sad Music and Sleep Music. During ancient times, these “three musics” were known from the middle east through western Europe. This musical system corresponded to widely held cosmogenic ideas. The three musics are refered to in English and Arabic writings. Each of these scales resolved on two finals–the low drone and Bb. The basic tuning was f,g,a Bb,c,d,eb,f, g. Thus, as a whole the instrument could be said to have been tuned to Bb–just as Giraldus Cambrensis states in his 13th century description of Irish harpers. This music system was displaced in Helenic culture around 600 BC. Beyond strong Helenic influence this ancient musical system survived longer. Up until the systematization of music undertaken by the Persians around 900 AD and by the Roman church in western Europe soon afterward, this drone based system survived among the Arabs, the Britains, the Celts and possibly others. The last practitioners of this system–Irish players of the historical Celtic harp–died out around 1840.
We need to take a wider world view of the instrument and the music and the culture to put it all into better perspective.
That’s very fascinating. I’ve often been intrigued about the use of drones.