Hi, does anyone know anything about traditional Northumbrian music (structure, style, instruments etc.)? For my GCSE music coursework, I am writing film music for 'Billy Elliot' and my teacher thinks that it would be nice to use elements of traditional Northumbrian music.

Any information you can give me is greatly appreciated.
Emma

now this is where we need Naomi!

Yes, we do. Where is she????

I think it is something to do with old Celtic Chant in Anglo Saxon culture during the 6th and 7th century. This chant was an antiphonal vocal setting, adhereing to plainchant styles of the Renaissance period.

There is also the northumbrian pipes, similar to the lowland pipes, but having bass, tenor, treble drone; instead of two tenor and bass.

I can not say much else. I may be a musicologist, but medieval music is not by scene.

Hope this at least points you in the right direction.

Try these recordings http://www.topicrecords.co.uk/acatalog/index2.html or recordings by Joe Hutton or Kathryn Tickell for Northumbrian pipe music. My husband used to have a set of Northumbrian pipes but they played in a key he described as "D and a half" so weren't much use in our band!

There's lots of info on the web on the pipes - try http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/vg/music.html for a start - some useful links at the bottom of the page.

Also listen to recordings by the High Level Ranters http://www.nspipes.co.uk/hlr/

Rapper sword dance is the traditional folk dance of the region - see http://www.rapper.org.uk/ - I've got a set of rapper swords in the garage if anyone wants to have a go!! (No missing fingers, please )

Hope that helps,

Jane

Thanks very much!

QUOTE (folkie @ Jan 24 2005, 05:31 PM)

Rapper sword dance is the traditional folk dance of the region - see http://www.rapper.org.uk/ - I've got a set of rapper swords in the garage if anyone wants to have a go!! (No missing fingers, please )

I thought sword dances put your toes at risk

QUOTE (Rainbow @ Jan 24 2005, 05:17 PM)

Yes, we do. Where is she????

she doesnt come online anymore poor thing! ive only spoken to her once

QUOTE

I thought sword dances put your toes at risk

That's the Scottish variety - rapper is the one where each member of a team (five people) holds each end of a "sword" (in reality a long piece of metal with no sharp edges and a wooden handle at each end, one rotating & one fixed). The dance consists of a series of "under the arches" or jumping over the sword type of weaving movements done with a running step, where you rarely let go of the sword ends. One of the most well-know movements is where you weave the swords into a star shape that is then held aloft by one dancer. Hopefully the swords stay together.....

Little risk to the feet (other than tripping over a sword held too high) but enormous risk of skinned knuckles!!

Jane

PS in my garage I also have a set of English longswords (six dancers, only a handle on one end e.g. http://www.kirkbymalzeard.com/history/longsword.html ) and a set of Papa Stour swords ( seven dancers, fixed handle on each end http://www.papastour.shetland.co.uk/dance.html )

Anyone for a sword dance? Unfortunately it's such a long time since I did one I'm not sure I can remember how!

QUOTE (Rainbow @ Jan 24 2005, 05:17 PM)

Yes, we do. Where is she????

Naomi doesn't "do" the internet any more. I'll pass on a request for help.

Thanks, DavidMusic, that would be great!

QUOTE (DavidMusic @ Jan 25 2005, 01:18 AM)

QUOTE (Rainbow @ Jan 24 2005, 05:17 PM) Yes, we do.  Where is she???? Naomi doesn't "do" the internet any more. I'll pass on a request for help.

does she ever reply to you anymore? she doesnt often reply to me, i want to know how she did in her theory exam

QUOTE (clarinetlover @ Jan 25 2005, 09:15 PM)

QUOTE (DavidMusic @ Jan 25 2005, 01:18 AM) QUOTE (Rainbow @ Jan 24 2005, 05:17 PM) Yes, we do.  Where is she???? Naomi doesn't "do" the internet any more. I'll pass on a request for help. does she ever reply to you anymore? she doesnt often reply to me, i want to know how she did in her theory exam

She always replies. Unfortunately, I can't contact her now.