 |
The Modern Celtic MusicAlthough it may not have much to do with the ancient tribes of Celtic people, Celtic music is a movement that has become popular in Western Europe and throughout the world. Because of ignorance about the Celtic tradition of music, many popular world genres, such as Scottish and Irish music, have been mistakenly listed under the Celtic name. A person that would like to be more accurate in their enjoyment of music should take the time to learn what exactly constitutes this unique brand of music and how it has transformed in modern times.One of the problems inherent in identifying true Celtic music is the musical instruments that are used for the songs. Because the Celts were widespread across different countries, their instruments were different from region to region. In some areas, the fiddle was the primary instrument, while in others the flute or harp played the major role. As music has become more homogenized, the traditional music instruments of the Celtic people have been used in a variety of ways. The most accurate way to describe these new musical forms is as Celtic fusion music. While they may feature the Celtic language for the lyrics and vocals, most modern types of Celtic music are actually hybrids of different styles. Many of these have a folk background with elements that come from smooth jazz, rock or the New Age genre. Popular artists in this vein include Loreena McKennitt, Clannad, and the Corrs. As the Celtic style has grown in popularity, the reach of the music has branched out even further, with some artists choosing to d Celtic music interpretations of electronica, punk, and even hip hop. While these versions are surely not popular with Celtic music purists, they have become hits for artists from many different genres and styles. |