Instrumentation
Both Scarborough Fair and Arirang make extensive use of traditional instruments of their respective cultures. This is common in folk music because it helps identify unique sounds of their culture and is a part of what defines that genre.
Down below are the instruments:
Down below are the instruments:
Mandolin:
In the Celtic Woman video, it is actually a harp that is playing the role of the mandolin. However, mandolins were more commonly used in English Folk music. It is part of the lute family. The mellow and warm sound of the mandolin is popular for traditional folk music. It provides the accompaniment and rhythmic support. Tin Whistle: The tin whistle is very commonly used in English folk music. It is a fairly metal simple instrument, similar to a recorder, and with no reed. It can play the melody as well as provide harmonic support. |
Gayageum:
The gayageum is a commonly used traditional Korean string instrument with 12 strings and a movable bridge that allows for different tuning. It is a part of the zither family and played by plucking the strings. Many techniques can be applied to create ornamentation while playing. It plays the rhythmic accompaniment or melody. (Kayagum | Musical Instrument) Piri: The piri is a traditional Korean woodwind instrument. It is a double reed, similar to an oboe. It is made of bamboo and comes in different sizes. Depending on its size, it can have a very loud tone used mainly to be a main melodic part. Smaller ones often accompany singing or string instruments. (P'iri | Musical Instrument) |
These two pieces use a woodwind instrument as an introduction. The respective woodwind instruments provide a slow lead into the vocals of the song. Throughout the song, a string instrument is used to support the melody with an underlying rhythmic accompaniment. Rather than a constant bass pulse, the harp and gayageum are higher in pitch and harmonize with the vocals. As a result, the songs sound more delicate and sweeter than they would with a heavy bass, which benefits the melancholic tune of the songs. Voices are another important instrument of these songs and are well-used in folk music. In both songs, the vocals carry the melody and are the centerpiece of the performance.
However, there are some differences in these songs with regard to timbre and specific usage of the instruments. Overall, Scarborough Fair has a warmer timbre compared to Arirang due to instrumentation. The harp is very mellow and the tin whistle is more airy sounding. However, the timbre of Arirang is more piercing due to the tight sound of the gayageum and the reedy sound of the piri. Additionally, the voices have different colors. In Scarborough Fair, the singing is much more gentle while Arirang is sung with a more rough and nasally. In terms of instrument usage, the harp is more prominent in Scarborough Fair whereas the gayageum is more subdued. Moreover, the tin whistle used in Scarborough Fair is used to transition between verses (00:45 and 01:23). Meanwhile, the piri is used in conjunction with the vocals of Arirang. When the singers finish a phrase and hold out a long note, the piri comes in with a run of increasing pitch to add to the shaping of the song (00:35, 00:45, 00:55, 01:10, 01:33 are the first several uses).
However, there are some differences in these songs with regard to timbre and specific usage of the instruments. Overall, Scarborough Fair has a warmer timbre compared to Arirang due to instrumentation. The harp is very mellow and the tin whistle is more airy sounding. However, the timbre of Arirang is more piercing due to the tight sound of the gayageum and the reedy sound of the piri. Additionally, the voices have different colors. In Scarborough Fair, the singing is much more gentle while Arirang is sung with a more rough and nasally. In terms of instrument usage, the harp is more prominent in Scarborough Fair whereas the gayageum is more subdued. Moreover, the tin whistle used in Scarborough Fair is used to transition between verses (00:45 and 01:23). Meanwhile, the piri is used in conjunction with the vocals of Arirang. When the singers finish a phrase and hold out a long note, the piri comes in with a run of increasing pitch to add to the shaping of the song (00:35, 00:45, 00:55, 01:10, 01:33 are the first several uses).