Scottish Music at Edinburgh Festival 2010
Now that the Edinburgh Festival is well and truly underway in 2010 its time to look at what is on offer for those seeking out some traditional Scottish music while in Scotland's capital for the next few weeks. With so much on offer from Dance and Physical Theatre from Brazil, Opera from Italy to Comedy from Dublin, there is just about everything you can want to see all within a few square miles, so here are a few of the best opportunities for listening to traditional music in a handy short list. Military Tattoo You can't get much more traditional than the Edinburgh military tattoo which takes place in the grounds of the castle almost every night (6-28th August) of the Fest. This year is the diamond...
Holiday Hotels in Scotland with Live Scottish...
If you are planning a holiday in Scotland then most likely at one point you will want to see and hear some real Scottish music. Around Scotland there are many hotels who put on live music, the hard bit is finding them sometimes. Often you can staying in areas of Scotland that have live music but not on the night you are there. The local tourist offices do have some information on what is on, unfortunately by the time you get to Scotland unless you are booking your accommodation as you find it, then your chance of success is limited. At the web site [ you can find information on hotels around Scotland that have live music and the contact details also. On the Travel Hotels Scotland web site you can...
The Scottish Music Scene
Scotland is a relatively small country, but it is home to a thriving music culture, not only in terms of classical and folk traditions, but also in the field of contemporary music. This country punches well above its weight. Scotland, in the last decade and a half, has been home to some of the most prestigious and influential bands and record labels of recent times. This article is a guide to the music scene of Scotland, and some of the bands to watch. Live Music The live music scene in Scotland is based around the two major cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Whilst Edinburgh is the capital, Glasgow has a better reputation for gigs. It features the Barrowlands, a legendary venue which saw early gigs...
Traditional Scottish Dance Music
Scottish Dance Music incorporates many different genres and styles which have developed over time. Traditional music was originally sung and played for social gatherings, where the original form of the ceilidh comes from. This was a gathering where different members of the party would each take turns to play a tune or sing a song, sometimes with others joining in. Many of the tunes and songs have been passed down through the generations and are constantly evolving even today as musician put their own slant on them. James Scott Skinner The fiddle was a very popular instrument in Scotland and its profile in highland music was raised by James Scott Skinner in the late 19th and early 20th century. He...
Vibrato in Fiddle Music In American fiddle styles you don't hear vibrato on fast tunes. Break downs, hoe downs, rags, and other fast tunes have rapid notes that give a player no time to do vibrato. Only on waltzes and ballads are you likely to hear vibrato. This is not necessarily the case with Irish fiddling. There you might hear a quick vibrato just as you might hear a quick roll or bow rattle. Vibrato seems to be an ornament in jigs and reels. But, it is not used often. The question is, "How do you do vibrato in fiddle music?" In a short essay like this, it's easier to say how not to do vibrato than how to do it well. (And, really you need a good coach to learn this.) If your wrist is moving in...
The Celtic Bagpipes Legacy
Interestingly enough, these so called Celtic bagpipes have gained wide attention as one of the most unique instruments ever made in human history. And it does not confine its popularity and following only among those of the Celts. As a matter of fact, this particular instrument has gained international fame for its "wailing" and "humming" tunes. Not only that, it automatically reminds us of that imagery of a man clad with plaid skirts playing the bagpipes as he walks down the hill one beautiful hazy morning. Recognizably, there are lots of types of bagpipes that have come about through time and throughout the different countries and continents. There are the Turkish tulum, the Great Highland Bagpipe...
Amazing Grace Music - New Version
The Story Behind Amazing Grace Music Ever heard of the song “Amazing Grace”? Sure you have. Love the tune and melody of it’s music? Sure you do. Amazing grace music has been first linked to the variant of the tune “New Britain” of which the composer is unknown and which is in William Walker’s shape-note tunebook Southern Harmony,1935. In addition to that, New Britain first appeared in a shape note hymnal from 1829 called Columbian Harmony. Furthermore, the melody is Scottish or Irish origin since it is pentatonic and suggests a bagpipe tune. When we talk about Scottish or Irish music the Great Highland Bagpipe indeed has a large role in it since it has long played an important part of...
Entertainment to Consider For Your Scottish...
If you're planning to have a traditional Scottish Ceilidh wedding, then there's one form of entertainment you'll need to consider - a Ceilidh Band in Scotland? A Ceilidh is ideal for breaking the ice between strangers and it is without doubt the best form of dancing to bring people together....FACT! TO CEILIDH DISCO or NOT TO CEILIDH DISCO - Many couples are often undecided on whether to have the traditional 'full-on' Scottish shindig. Their first thoughts are "what if most of our guests don't like Ceilidh music/dancing"? A very pertinent question, but a complete needless worry as hiring a Scottish Ceilidh band offers amazing versatility...more so than you would imagine. For example, if you're the...
What Are the Top Earners in Network...
Last Friday night my girlfriend and I experienced a real treat when we attended a performance by Alasdair Frazer and Natalie Haas. Alasdair Frazer is an absolutely amazing fiddle player while Natalie can tear up a cello. (Yes, I said cello.) If you remember the haunting fiddle tunes from the movies "Last of the Mohican's" and "Titanic" then you've heard Alasdair play. These two team up to perform both traditional and new Scottish fiddle and dance music. The two of them together took us from energizing jigs and reels to relaxing melodic tunes from old Scotland and back again. It was a wonderful experience. Why am I writing about a concert of Scottish fiddle music? Don't worry, I'll get to it...
Discover the Unspoilt Beauty of the Scottish...
Described as one of the world's most idyllic and enchanting landscapes, the Scottish highlands boast a wealth of unspoilt views and tranquil glens bursting with flora and fauna in equal measure. Discovering the highlands is a reoccurring feature on many people's 'do before you die' lists and given the number of return visitors, offers something truly magical indeed. Upon visiting the highlands, you'll find there's plenty of attractions to immerse yourself in. The first of which is - of course - the landscape itself. Forged through millions of years of turbulent geographical shift and ice age activity, the Scottish Highlands are formed through a mixture of stunning hills, mountains, glens and...
Vacations in Fort William, Scotland
For those people who really want to experience Scotland at its best, vacations in Fort William offer a wonderful opportunity to do just that. Located on the shores of Loch Linnhe, Fort William is a great place to make an overnight stop on the way to Inverness. It is also a great place for exploring Ben Nevis, which is Scotland's highest mountain. In fact, there are many reasons to visit this historical area. Fort William is one of the major stops on the West Highland rail line which begins at the Queen Street station in Glasgow and ends on the west coast. There are three trains per day that run along this route. One of the major attractions of Fort William is the ruins of the Old Inverlochy Castle...
Romantic wedding dreams can come true with a wedding in a Scottish castle. You'll want your day to be as special as your relationship. In a castle you can feel like a princess with your knight in shining armour. Castle weddings in Scotland range in size from a small intimate gathering, to large elaborate celebrations with everyone in traditional Scottish dress. Researching and choosing a castle and the wedding facilities you want can be very enjoyable and exciting. Castle wedding websites provide plenty of information and photographs. An interesting time can be had visiting selected castles, before booking your choice. Wedding package deals often include accommodation and meals actually in or near...
What Style of Wedding Reception Music Should...
Think about all of the different groups of people, and age ranges that will be attending your wedding, and try to choose a band that is best equipped to entertain everyone. There's little doubt about it, the key element in a successful wedding reception is live music, and a carefully-considered choice of wedding party band is essential to its success. Remember that your reception guest-list in all probability will include quite disparate groups of people who have never before even met most of the other guests - the two families, for instance, as well as the newlyweds' respective groups of close friends. Also, there may well be a wide range of ages represented in the overall party. So the choice of a...