| Scottish Dance Music incorporates many different | | | | to accompany Scottish Country Dancing which has |
| genres and styles which have developed over time. | | | | become a worldwide phenomenon thanks to the |
| Traditional music was originally sung and played for | | | | RSCDS. (Royal Scottish Country Dance Society) |
| social gatherings, where the original form of the | | | | Ceilidh Dance Bands |
| ceilidh comes from. This was a gathering where | | | | Ceilidh Dancing is perhaps more common and also |
| different members of the party would each take | | | | accessible to non-dancers as you don't need to know |
| turns to play a tune or sing a song, sometimes with | | | | all the steps and formations beforehand. Ceilidh bands |
| others joining in. | | | | can be comprised of many different combinations of |
| Many of the tunes and songs have been passed | | | | instruments. Fiddles, whistles and accordions are |
| down through the generations and are constantly | | | | commonly used to provide a strong melody, with |
| evolving even today as musician put their own slant | | | | piano, guitar and drums providing the rhythm section. |
| on them. | | | | There are also many contemporary Scottish bands |
| James Scott Skinner | | | | which play in more of a concert setting rather than |
| The fiddle was a very popular instrument in Scotland | | | | for dancing. These are often in large arenas and they |
| and its profile in highland music was raised by James | | | | tour around the world. |
| Scott Skinner in the late 19th and early 20th century. | | | | Worldwide Appeal |
| He was one of the first traditional musicians to tour | | | | Wherever you go in the world, thanks to the large |
| abroad and took his music to America. | | | | expatriate Scottish community, there are always |
| Much of his music was written for dancing and a | | | | festivals, societies and other events which bring |
| great amount of his music was published and | | | | Scottish ceilidh music across the world. As a result |
| continues to be extremely popular. | | | | there is a huge demand for Scottish ceilidh bands and |
| Traditional music was also used to form some of the | | | | Scottish performers. |
| working songs like those sung by the women | | | | Here in the UK, there is a large network of Accordion |
| "waulking" the cloth in the woollen cloth-making, | | | | and Fiddle Clubs which have regular meetings, inviting |
| common in Scotland at one time. | | | | different bands to perform each month as guest |
| Scottish Country Dance Bands | | | | artistes. They are also very supportive of young |
| Scottish Country Dance Bands are nowadays | | | | talent coming through which keeps the music alive |
| comprised of two accordions, fiddle, piano double | | | | and ensures that Scottish music retains its |
| bass and drums. They generally play in strict tempo | | | | extraordinary popularity and appeal. |
