Scottish music
Scotland may be a small country, but it has a vast and colourful musical culture. It is well known for its traditional folk music which is popular around the world.
Music is a very inclusive part of Scottish culture. People of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to perform and listen to music together. Traditional music is frequently performed at social gatherings such as weddings, funerals, parties, holidays, festivals and formal civic events.
颁茅颈濒颈诲丑
The ceilidhA traditional Scottish social event or gathering featuring music, dancing, storytelling and poetry, meaning 鈥榓 visit鈥 in Gaelic, was traditionally a gathering of people in the home. Neighbours would get together informally in the evening to share songs, music, poetry and storytelling around the fire.
House 肠茅颈濒颈诲丑s were an important part of the culture as local knowledge was shared in addition to the music and dance. In larger communities, 肠茅颈濒颈诲丑s grew into social gatherings held in halls.
Melody and scale
Scottish melodies are written using a number of different scales, but many are commonly based on the five note pentatonicA scale based on five notes in a octave scale. The pentatonic scale, starting on the note G would be G A B D and E. It is a scale commonly used in folk music but particularly in Scottish music.
Many well known Scottish songs are written using the pentatonic scale, eg 'Auld Lang Syne', 'Skye Boat Song' and 'Mhairi鈥檚 Wedding'.