Genres are distinctive.
We are sorely lacking in research into the question of genre classification in pibroch. But until more has been done, and more concrete results have been published, we can only make the following assumptions:
- Gathering Tunes are not Laments nor Salutes
- Salutes are not Gathering Tunes nor Laments
- Laments are not Salutes nor Gathering Tunes
- Etc.
Why do we play them all in the same, slow ponderous way?
In general, it has been suggested that all pibroch was played up to 30% faster than it is today.
Couple that with the myriad of social contexts out of which they came and to which they were addressed. If the titles are any indication, these would include:
- Salutes
- Laments
- Gathering Tunes
- Commemorations
- Taunts
- Complaints
- Celebrations
to which we can add
- Rowing tunes and
- Military signals
When you select a tune, consider its genre. If it is a lament, make it so. But if it is a military signal, play it like one, not like a lament.
Give respect to the social contexts and use your imagination to inform your interpretive genre approach.
Then embrace that choice.
Great post! I’m just learning and getting acquainted with the piobaireachd database and this website in general, but I really appreciate the efforts you all are putting forward to get at the musical and cultural heart of what made piobaireachd what it was. Happy Hogmanay!
-Daniel
I agree inasmuch as the type of ceol mor, as is often indicated in the title, goes some way to understanding how the music works as a whole. This is much the same as in light music, viz. jigs, reels, etc.
I also find the canntaireachd (particularly when sung) gives much more detail of the music than the written score / dots.
Probably wise to be skeptical of the existing tune titles when deciding what genre the piece actually is. :)
Yes, and no.
With respect to individual tunes: yes. Many of these titles are confused.
Phenonmenologically, no: taken as a whole, they become a collection from which we can extraploate social phenomena.