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Scotland National Anthem:
Scotland the Brave
Scotland the Brave captivates many hearts not only because of the
importance of the anthem but because of the beautiful sound of the famous
Celtic bagpipes that are used to perform this piece. Played in a 4/4 time
signature, the piece has a format that starts out as an ABAB, repeating
the melody at the A, and continues with a chorus a B, but moves on to
change and add a C and a D to the format. C is then repeated over and over
again, leading up to the finale at D. The entire tune speed up at D and
has a time change from 4/4 to what sounds like 2/4. The melody is played
every time the same, but the other parts of the tune differ. The
instrumentation of this song includes only the Celtic Bagpipes alone.
Though it is only one instrument playing the piece, there is a drone in
the background which sets off the piece and gives it a fuller more
complete sound. Before each note, there are grace notes leading them.
These grace notes help to set the march-like, country feel. They provide
an uplifting tone and give it an improvisation feel.
This worldly tune came out in the turn of the 20th century. The Celtic
bagpipes are very traditional in Scotland. They are also known as the
“Great Highland Bagpipes”. Bagpipes have a long history dating back to
around 4000 B.C. Throughout the history of these instruments they have
become to be associated with the “waging of war” or “as an instrument of
war”. Bagpipes actually arrived in Scotland around the 1300s, spreading to
the Highland area at about the year 1400. These instruments include a
short blowpipe, sheep skin bag with air, eight finger holes on what is
called a chanter pipe and three additional pipes which are the tenor and
bass drones. The reed is vibrated to create the unique sound of the
bagpipes.
These Highlander bagpipes become popular by day and their sound seems to
be far from forgotten especially their anthem.
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