Capercaillie: Skye Waulking Song

Question 1

Harmony

Answer 1

• Song is in G major and is entirely diatonic.
• Three main chords used G, Em and C.
• Because the dominant chord (D) is avoided, modal feel.

Question 2

Rhythm and Metre

Answer 2

• The song is notated in 12/8 (compound quadruple metre)
• Frequent syncopation in the vocal line and instrumental counter melodies.
• Start of song the hi-hat pattern creates cross rhythms and when full band enters it changes and clearly emphasises 12/8.

Question 3

Melody

Answer 3

• The vocal melody is pentatonic
• Uses lower register of voice, soloists part in the score is notated in the vocal tenor clef, making it sound an octave lower than printed.
• Mainly Syllabic

Question 4

Melody 2

Answer 4

• Alternates between one bar phrases in Gaelic (the call) and phrases that use vocables (the response).
• Instrumentalists play short motifs and countermelodies that are mostly based on vocal phrases.
• Main instrumental break in based on refrain 2.

Question 5

Structure

Answer 5

-Four different phrases each last one bar in a call and response pattern.
Phrase 1: Call(in Gaelic, starts on a high D)
Refrain 1: Response (vocables, starts on a mid B)
Phrase 2: Call(in Gaelic, starts on a low D)
Refrain 2: Response(vocables, starts on a high E)

Question 6

Structure 2

Answer 6

Overall structure is:

1. Introduction: an instrumental section, after which the voice enters with the first line of text.
2. Verse 1: Voice and accompaniment.
3. Verse 2: Voice and accompaniment-includes an instrumental break.
4. Coda: Short vocal phrases echo the end of refrain 1, which after the accompaniment fades out.

Question 7

Instrumentation and Texture

Answer 7

• A layered texture is created through: A rhythmic pattern on drum kit, a bass line played by bass guitar, chords on a synthesiser and accordion, than main melody sung by voice and countermelodies on the other melody instruments.
• The chord that opens the song is a cluster chord, a chord who’s notes are all next to each other.

Question 8

Instrumentation and Texture 2

Answer 8

• The Wurlitzer Piano- a type of early electric piano.
• The uilleann pipes- like the bagpipers but with a softer tone.
• The bouzouki- a type of lute that comes from Greece.
• ‘N.C.’ means no chord, accompaniment drops out.
• With modulation mean that modulation is applied to a synthesiser chord making the pitch fluctuate slightly.

Question 9

History

Answer 9

• Comes from Capercaillie’s albim Nadurra, released in 2000.
• Song is taken from a long lament called John, Son of the King of Ireland, which takes more than an hour to perform from start to finish.