Origin: Ireland
Title: Kesh Jig/ Drowsy Maggie
Performers: The Ghillies
Instruments: harp, guitar, violin, flute, bodhran
This medley incorporates several elements of traditional Irish music. The rhythm of the first section is that of the jig, which is normally in 6/8 time at quite a quick tempo. There is also the layering of instruments, beginning with the harp and then adding others as it goes. Much of the playing is in unison but with minute little ornaments being added by individual players as they enter. Then at the 3:05 mark there is a shift to duple time as the second tune is added. This provides the opportunity to shift back and forth between the major key and its relative minor - also a common technique.
The bodhran helps provides unique style of percussion:
You really can't stress enough that getting the rhythm is critical. However, unlike rock and a lot of other styles, the rhythm instruments ... are not there to create the rhythm, but to draw it out, to accent and highlight it. The rhythm itself comes from the tune ... how it is structured and phrased ... and how it is played by the melody players. ... Alternate rhythms are great, but we have to stress to beginners that they must complement the original rhythm. No matter how many rhythms you pile on top of each other, they all still have to work together. The result of stacking rhythms should not be several rhythms, but a single, integrated, complex one. (Mittleman)This could be used as part of the exercise Campbell describes on p.206-207 to improvise hand percussion (on body parts or hand drums) to match the various meters of the traditional jig. This can then lead into learning to improvise small melodic phrases in the style of these traditional jig melodies, using both the traditional types of instruments and then more distant ones.
Source:
Campbell, P.S., 2004. Teaching Music Globally. New York: Oxford University Press.
Mittleman, Josh, (n.d.) A Beginners' Guide to the Bodhran. Retrieved from http://www.ceolas.org/instruments/bodhran/beginner.shtml
Steve, This is a great, high quality clip. I really enjoyed the citation regarding the role of the rhythm instruments. I had never thought of it in those terms, but it makes great sense that the tune in this style of music is the driving rhythmic force. Your suggestions for using body percussion or hand drums along with this tune would work well. Also, my middle grades guitar group could use this as a opportunity to experience the music of this culture by providing rhythm similar to what the guitarist in this band does. The nature of the harmonic changes would make this very doable for them. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve. Thanks for sharing this clip. I used this one a few weeks back and it was great to hear this music again. I can trace my lineage back to Ireland and have always enjoyed listening to this style of music. I really like your activities on matching the percussive patterns found in the Irish jig. This would be really great in the elementary classroom setting. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteExcellent connection the reading, Steve!
ReplyDelete