Traditional Scottish Dance Music

by

Alistair Summers

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 was one of the first traditional musicians to tour abroad and took his music to America.

Much of his music was written for dancing and a great amount of his music was published and continues to be extremely popular.

Traditional music was also used to form some of the working songs like those sung by the women “waulking” the cloth in the woollen cloth-making, common in Scotland at one time.

Scottish Country Dance Bands

Scottish Country Dance Bands are nowadays comprised of two accordions, fiddle, piano double bass and drums. They generally play in strict tempo to accompany Scottish Country Dancing which has become a worldwide phenomenon thanks to the RSCDS. (Royal Scottish Country Dance Society)

Ceilidh Dance Bands

Ceilidh Dancing is perhaps more common and also accessible to non-dancers as you don’t need to know all the steps and formations beforehand. Ceilidh bands can be comprised of many different combinations of instruments. Fiddles, whistles and accordions are commonly used to provide a strong melody, with piano, guitar and drums providing the rhythm section.

There are also many contemporary Scottish bands which play in more of a concert setting rather than for dancing. These are often in large arenas and they tour around the world.

Worldwide Appeal

Wherever you go in the world, thanks to the large expatriate Scottish community, there are always festivals, societies and other events which bring Scottish ceilidh music across the world. As a result there is a huge demand for Scottish ceilidh bands and Scottish performers.

Here in the UK, there is a large network of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs which have regular meetings, inviting different bands to perform each month as guest artistes. They are also very supportive of young talent coming through which keeps the music alive and ensures that Scottish music retains its extraordinary popularity and appeal.

Sam Qam has long been an appreciator of

Scottish ceilidh bands

and loves the history and tradition behind

Scottish ceilidh music

.

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Traditional Scottish Dance Music