What does “Celtic” mean in music?
What does Celtic mean in music? In music, the term Celtic typically refers to a traditional type of folk music found in areas such as Scotland, Ireland, Britain, Spain, and France. These types of folk music are derived from traditions passed down by the ancient Celtic people that inhabited these lands. The music’s distinctive qualities include its use of modal scales, intricate melodies, and rhythmic patterns. These elements create the haunting and soulful sound that is characteristic of Celtic music.Celtic music is a popular type of music that makes a lot of use of the Mixolydian and Dorian modes and pentatonic scales. The music dates back hundreds, if not thousands of years and there are no formal rules to the style of music as such. One of the main elements of Celtic music is the use of microtonal bends.
What scale is used in Celtic music?
Celtic folk song is for the most part pentatonic in origin. The 5-scale note forms the basis of the 6-note (hexatonic) and 7-note (heptatonic) scales respectively. It is this gapped scale system that distinguishes the music of the Celts from the more widely used major-minor system. While modes like Dorian, Aeolian, and Mixolydian form the backbone of Celtic/Amara music, the pentatonic scale is another important framework. Unlike modes, this scale simplifies melodies with just five notes, creating an open, spacious quality that feels universal and timeless.