Welsh Folk Music Style

Welsh Folk Music Style

General Characteristics

• Welsh folk music is a traditional style of music originating from Wales. It includes a diverse range of styles, and it often features vocal music, often in the Welsh language.

• The harp is a particularly significant instrument in Welsh music. It’s often used for melodies and as a rhythmic instrument, delivering intricate patterns to accompany singing.

• Welsh music is renowned for its highly emotional content, often delivering intense and deep emotions through the use of specific harmonies, rhythmic patterns, and lyrics.

• A notable aspect of Welsh folk music is its strong focus on melody. These melodies might be adorned with a variety of articulations, such as ornaments or embellishments, to enhance their emotional impact.

Melodies and Harmonies

• Welsh folk melodies often consist of a series of flowing, connected notes that form a linear, coherent musical line.

• A distinct feature of Welsh music is the pentatonic scale with five pitches per octave, contrasting with the seven-note scale common in Western music. This results in a specific melodic and harmonic “flavour”.

• Unison singing, or cydganu, is a popular practice in traditional Welsh music. This involves multiple voices singing the same melody, often in male voice choirs, generating a powerful and rich sound.

• The harp tends to play a harmonically supportive role, establishing the chordal framework upon which the melody is built.

Rhythms and Meter

• The rhythms in Welsh folk music can display a wide range of complexity, from straightforward beats to intricate rhythmic patterns. There might be a strong, emphasised beat that punctuates the music, driving the rhythm forward.

• Tunes are often written in simple time signatures such as 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 although compound meters with a triplet feel are not uncommon.

Performance and Context

• Welsh folk music is traditionally performed in a variety of contexts, such as festivals, gatherings, and Eisteddfodau, a festival of music and literature in which musical competitions play a major part.

• Choral singing is deeply rooted in Welsh culture with both secular and sacred music playing a vital role in communal activity and individual expression.

• When preparing a piece of Welsh folk music for an ensemble performance, consider how each individual part contributes to the delivery of the melody and supports the overall emotional intent of the piece.

• Always consider the cultural context of the music. This traditional music form often contains stories, sentiments, and values central to Welsh culture which should be conveyed in your performance.