St Andrews Research Repository

St Andrews University Home
View Item 
  •   St Andrews Research Repository
  • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
  • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
  • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Theses
  • View Item
  •   St Andrews Research Repository
  • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
  • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
  • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Theses
  • View Item
  •   St Andrews Research Repository
  • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
  • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
  • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Theses
  • View Item
  • Login
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Scottish competition bagpipe performance : sound, mode and aesthetics

Thumbnail
View/Open
SimonMcKerrellPhDThesis.pdf (36.89Mb)
Date
2005
Author
McKerrell, Simon Alasdair
Supervisor
Duesenberry, Peggy
Metadata
Show full item record
Altmetrics Handle Statistics
Abstract
This study is an ethnomusicological analysis of Scottish competition bagpiping, examining three fundamental aspects of performance: sound aesthetics, performance aesthetics and the modal complex of the core repertoire. Through a mixture of discussions, modal analysis and reflections upon performance, it deconstructs the music of the 2/4 competition pipe march and the aesthetics surrounding competition performance. Focussing on a small number of the world’s leading Highland bagpipers, this research demonstrates how overall sound combined with the individual choices about repertoire and how to play it, results in the maintenance of individual identity. In chapter three, analysis of the ‘modal complex’, comprising pitch sets, hierarchies, phrasing-structure, the double-tonic, structural tones, melodic motifs and rhythm-contour motifs reveal the characteristics of various modes in the 2/4 competition pipe march. As an insider of this music-culture, I offer a definition of mode based upon motivic content rather than pitch set. The modal complex is framed by an understanding of how pipers themselves think about their competitive tradition. Understanding the concepts presented in this thesis provides an original and holistic picture of how Scottish bagpipe competition performance sounds the way it does.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Collections
  • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Theses
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10023/4809

Items in the St Andrews Research Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

Advanced Search

Browse

All of RepositoryCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateNamesTitlesSubjectsClassificationTypeFunderThis CollectionBy Issue DateNamesTitlesSubjectsClassificationTypeFunder

My Account

Login

Open Access

To find out how you can benefit from open access to research, see our library web pages and Open Access blog. For open access help contact: openaccess@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Accessibility

Read our Accessibility statement.

How to submit research papers

The full text of research papers can be submitted to the repository via Pure, the University's research information system. For help see our guide: How to deposit in Pure.

Electronic thesis deposit

Help with deposit.

Repository help

For repository help contact: Digital-Repository@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Give Feedback

Cookie policy

This site may use cookies. Please see Terms and Conditions.

Usage statistics

COUNTER-compliant statistics on downloads from the repository are available from the IRUS-UK Service. Contact us for information.

© University of St Andrews Library

University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013532.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter