The Ancient Celts and Music - A brief intro: to the Ancient Celts

Celtic culture is very ancient, It goes back over 2,700 years.
The term 'Celtic' is properly prounced with a hard 'k' sound as in 'keltic' as indicated by greek and classical latin spelling. The word 'celtic' is a linguistic term which is often used as a blanket term for post-iron age irish, welsh, scottish and brenton, ect.
The name 'celt' itself originated with the ancient greeks, who called the barbarian peoples of Europe, who occupied the lands stretching from the British Isles to Gallatia, 'Keltoi'.
Though there is no written record of the 'celts' stemming from their own documents knowledge about the celts comes from the writings of the ancient greeks and romans, through archeology discoveries and through the writings of medevil monks.
An old gaelic proverb states:
"To him that farthest went away, the sweetest music he ever heard was 'come home'."

From the ancient days of the celts, music has always been an important part of life. The ancient celts had an oral culture; Religion, legend, and historial events,all information of importance was kept by each generation passing it on down to the next generation by way of stories, prose and song-music.

In early Celtic traditional music & culture the main instruments were(and still are with additions such as the fiddle and others)

The 'Bones'




The frame Drum (Bodra'n)




The whistle




The Pipes



The Harp




The 'Bones '
The Bones are very simular to Castanets (in sound and in hand play method ).
Traditionally made from the rib cage of a pig; they are usually made now from wood.

The Bodra'n
The Bodran is an Irish frame drum; made from a cicular hoop of ash wood (traditionally) and a head of animal skin usually of goat ,calf or deer. The skin for the drum was soaked in a stream for 9 days then would be stretched and firmly attached around edge of the hoop. Sometimes a cross piece was placed inside for stability and ease of holding drum. The bodran is most commonly played with a short stick or a beater called a 'Tipper'; however it can also be played with the hand. A bodran can vary in size from very small (as for a child)to quite large sizes (which were used as War Drums). A 18 inch drum is condersidered the standard and most commonally used. Played skillfully the bodran can induce a variety of emotional responces from the listener from trance like /meditative, to a "stirring up of the blood" and ancestral memory, to a desire to just get up and dance!
The bodran is considered to be one of the oldest forms of musical instruments tho' it's exact orgins have been lost long ago. Because of this there are various theories as to it's orgins.
the most popular being:
1) It was invented in Ireland, and was originally a work tool.
2) It arrived in Ireland from elsewhere aprox between one and two thousand years ago.

The first theory, refers to the bodran's shape and resemblance to a "skin tray" or a "seive". In the 'celtic' world(Ireland,Scotland,Cornwall,Wales,Brittany.... ) A cicular 'skin tray' was in use for over a thousand years. This tray was used for "winnowing"-(process of separating the chaf from grains) and also as a seive (same skin tray with holes punched into it , for various uses). This "skin tray' implement was know by different names: Dallan,Weicht, Wicht, and Bodra'n. Wecht,and Wicht translate as 'seive' however, wicht can also mean 'creature' . The word wecht is very close to the word 'wecken' -(to wake up). Bodra'n translates as 'tray' and also 'thunderer','deafening',and 'dull sounding' . A very good description of the versitile sounds that can be achieved on this instrument.

The second theory, refers to the fact that there is some evidence to suggest that a simulaar drum to the bodran arrived via Roman or other traders. There are Roman murals showing musicians and dancers usung frame drums and tambourines. Various styles of frame drumscan be found are used throughout the world today (examples: Algeria,Morocco,Lapland,China,Russia,ect..). Frame drums have been and still are also widely used by the Native Americans and other tribal peoples around the world.

The Tin Whistle
The tin whistle and also the Irish flute are woodwind instruments,belonging to the fipple flutes catagory. This catagory also includes the 'Recorder' and 'Native American syled flutes'.
The early form of these types of whistleswere crafted from bone or sometimes clay. There are references to whistles as far back as the 11th century in the celtic world; found in the evidence of stone carvings and on stone crosses are carvings showing players of bone pipes.
The tin whistle has been called by a variety of names including: penny whistle, fipple flute,irish flute,irish whistle, vertical flute, tin flute, flageolet, fea'do'g sta'in,feadan. Thats a lot of names for a simple 6 hole wind instrument. The feadan(whistle)was orignally crafted of Alder wood. Alder wood being quite easy to hollow out,made it a good choice for flute/whistle makers.(One defination of Feadan is "a hollowed stick").
The tin whistle is directly decended from the Feadan (wooden whistle). The tin whistle is usually made of a a brass metal tube or a nickle plated brass tube, with 6 holes. The fipple or mouthpiece is usually made of plastic.
Tin whistles are usually made in a single key . The key of whistle most oft used in 'celtic music' is a 'd' whistle.(there are styles of whistles that use slides to change tone). the modern day tin whistle is much more durable than the Feadan wooden style whistle but retains the quality and sound that is distinctive to celtic music,(irish and scottish music especially).
The tin whistle can be played slow with a decided beautifully haunting quality or quick and lively as in jigs and reels that set the feet a -tapping.
Ledgends tell that the 'selkies'(seals) of Ireland are especially fond of the 'magical' music of the whistle(Feadan). So much so, that when it's music they hear; they will surface and emerge from the water and lay upon the rocks just to listen.
A simple little instrument worthy of notice and powerful music.

The Pipes
There are over 200 different types of bag pipes the world over. Bag pipes are not new comers to the world of music in fact they have been around for thousands of years(in different forms/styles). From enternning Egypt's pharohs to leading Romans into battle (and other warriors as well) the bagpipe has enjoyed(and continues to enjoy) world popularity. Like many instruments which have ancient roots, (some which have been discussed here) the bag pipe has many names and styles.

These can be broken down to 2 major groups.
-Bellows- blown pipes
-Mouth-blown pipes

Bellows- blown pipes are sometimes refered to as 'parlor pipes'. They are quiet enough to be played indoors; examples are: Uillean pipes,Northumbrain small pipes,Scottish small pipes,Lowland or Border pipes.

Mouth-blown pipes are the type that must be played outdoors. The best example of these are Scotland's Great Highland Pipes.

The base principle of piping are the same whatever the type of pipes. The piper fills the bag with air either by mouth blowing or by bellows method. Using the finger holes (covering/uncovering)on the 'chanter'(short pipe with fingering holes) he/she achieves the notes desired. The air leaves the bag through a set of attached pipes called 'drones' ( consisting of bass and tenor). The air being forced out through the drones causes a reed to vibrate (located in the end of each 'drone' pipe); thus creating the distinctive and unique sound of the Bag Pipes.

In Bellows-blown pipes the air is pressed into the bag with a bellows held between arm and ribcage. The pitch/tuning is controled by using varing pressure on the bag. Some of the 'parlor pipes have a closed chanter ,some an open end chanter.
A closed chanter results in a quieter set of pipes.If all the holes on this type of chanter were closed('all fingers down') there would be no sound.
In contrast a open ended chanter when all fingers are in the down position(all holes on chanter covered) will continue to play a solid note.
Now a brief word on a few types of bellows blown pipes:
-Nourthumbrian-small pipes are named for the area of Northern England from which they came have a closed chanter. These are considered the quietest of the pipe varieties.
-Scottish small pipes were once called 'chuisleeann' pipes feature an open ended chanter. And they are fingered very like the Great Highland pipes.
-Uillean pipes are sometimes called 'elbow pipes', or 'irish pipes'. Uillean pipes are considered one of the most difficult to play;because they usually have keys,and three or four drones with the addition of regulators as well.(regulators are extra pipes for creating specific chords) These are the most common pipes in much of todays celtic music.
-Border pipes are also known as Lowland pipes. are like the Great Highland bagpipes in that they use a conical shaped chanter rather than the cylindrical type of chanter used in the other pipes already discussed. This difference in chanter (also difference in reed type) gives the Border pipes the same Nasal sound(droning sound) as the Great Highland bagpipes.
The Great Highland Bag Pipe are perhaps the most recoginzable and well known of the pipes. These pipes are the mouth blown variety and known for thier strong loud sound.they feature a chanter(conical shape)with eight fingering holes. These pipes also feature three additional pipes,a bass and two tenor drones.

The Harp
The Harp is considered to be the oldest of the stringed instruments. While I can't give an exact age to this incrediblely wonderful instrument;I can tell you that there is a great deal of evidence to prove its ancient roots, From ancient cave paintings(some were found in France) of harp styled instruments to Egypts royal tombs with hieroglyphs of large bow shaped instruments (early harps), additionaly images of harp style instruments have been found far and wide in many ancient temples,(Greek,Babyloian...ect..)
The word 'Harp' is derived from Anglo-Saxon,German and Norse words which mean 'to pluck'. Very apropate don't you think?
There are many types and styles of harps .... examples : the ancient large bow style harp, the lyre style the European style tranglar harp and the Celtic style harps ect... (the Eropean style most commonally used gut strings ,the Celtic harp mostly used brass/wire strings. Both are the tranglar style harps)
In Scotland and Ireland the 'Celtic' (trangular harp) was called the "Cla'irseach" or "Clarsach"
--"Clarsach- The ancient small Celtic harp, revived in Scotland during the 20th century, differs from the usual orchestral harp in having brass strings instead of gut or nylon giving a bell like sound".-The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music.Ed MitchaelKennedy,Oxford Universty Press,1996
The term Harp, began to commonaly refer to a tranglar style harp around 1300's.
The harp has been a important part of Celtic hertage/national pride, and music(as far back as about the 10th century). One of Ireland's Most cherished treasures, The Trinity College Harp is the harp which was the model for the national symbol. The Harp symbol was impressed on coins by HenryVIII of England shortly after taking over Ireland .
I f you have the opportunity to listen to a talented Celtic style harper...Take a moment and close your eyes and allow yourself to be transported through the music to an ancient magical land.


While the backbone of celtic music is the solid Percussion, the beauty of its unique blend of sound comes not only from the percussion but though its unique blending of instruments. It is like any good recipe - a little of this and a little of that in perfect measure.



Irish Festival Gig - Pittsburgh - Sept 2007 - Dae and darkstormyldy on Bodra'n

Stormy,
I really love what you wrote. I feel it describes traditional Celtic Music beautifully!! Thank you for the wonderful addition .....Dae

Stormy,

That was very interesting. I know one of my favorite rock bands, Led Zeppelin, was very influenced by Celtic music, ie "Over the Hills and Far away" didn't use the instruments above but had celtic guitar riffs. They also brought out a hurdy gurdy at a live show, is that considered a celtic instrument as well?
I feel the more that we understand the history of music, the more varied and enriched our original compositions will be.

Thanks for the article,

Lori

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Lori at www.myspace.com/more2moremusic