Let's face it, the melodies of Ireland and Scotland lend themselves freely to anyone who would want to put a few chords underneath the tunes and the musicians who have done so successfully are pretty well known. Breton and other European music forms on the other hand are not so obvious and I still marvel at some of the harmonization that has developed for these tunes. Some of the chord progressions are not what you'd expect. Are there any secrets or famous names that we mere mortals in the west should be aware of?
If we agree that melodies of Ireland and Scotland lend themselves freely to anyone who would want to put a few chords underneath the tunes, then the same applies to Galician and Breton music, or any other music in this respect. Provided of course that you are well-versed in a given musical tradition, know the tunes well, are a competent player and have a good knowledge of harmony and chord building.
"Some of the chord progressions are not what you'd expect"
I understand that some of the chord progressions are not what you expect when you try to apply your experience from Irish music tradition. Chording for Galician tunes is pretty straightforward, as is basic chording for most Breton tunes; the only things is that Breton tunes lend themselves very well to e.g. jazz arrangements, and Breton dance musicians have a very open approach to experimentation and "modernisation" of their music, therefore it's sometimes hard to speak of a "standard" chording.
For Galician/Asturian music (I'm sorry to put them into one basket!), try Llan de Cubel, who were, to my best knowledge, the pioneers of restoring Asturian music, taking a lot from the Irish music revival; and Felpeyu (sadly, they disbanded after two of their members perished in a car accident) - their arrangements are quite straightforward, but very pleasant;
For Breton music, start with Jean Guichen, for example - a former member of Ar Ye Yaouank who is pretty aggressive on his guitar (you can see he liked his rock LPs), but his chording became a guidance for many younger players on how to interpret Breton music.
Remember also that chording is one thing - there's also the phrasing, the character of tunes which sometimes allow for a very easy strumming, and sometimes (like in case of certain East and Central European types of dance tunes) require an innovative approach to even sound decent with a guitar/chord instrument in the background.
I wish I could be more helpful - I'll try to compile a set of names worth listening to, not necessarily famous, when I finish work.
Janek - what do you think of Nicolas Quémener's playing ? I was kinda knocked out by it when I saw Pennoù Skoulm recently, only to look back and find I had been listening to him all the way back to an early Arkady album.
Stoneboy2, he would be the opening person on my list of recommendations. I first heard him on the Hudel album "Musiques bretonnes et d'ailleurs" and he immediately became my great inspiration in playing. Hard not to mention also his fantastic singing abilities.
Others I would also recommend: Erwan Volant (more jazzy), Erwan Berenguer (more fancy), Yann-Guirec Le Bars, Yvon Riou; there are also some other names at the back of my head, I would need to spend some time recalling...
There are so many great Breton guitarists! There must be a factory in Loudeac churning them out. Gilles Le Bigot is another excellent player, as is Patrice Marzin.
Chording in Breton, Galician music etc
Chording in Breton, Galician music etc
Let's face it, the melodies of Ireland and Scotland lend themselves freely to anyone who would want to put a few chords underneath the tunes and the musicians who have done so successfully are pretty well known. Breton and other European music forms on the other hand are not so obvious and I still marvel at some of the harmonization that has developed for these tunes. Some of the chord progressions are not what you'd expect. Are there any secrets or famous names that we mere mortals in the west should be aware of?
# Posted on June 9th 2011 by Patkiwi
Re: Chording in Breton, Galician music etc
I suspect the structures are more obvious to someone more familiar with those genres of music. They certainly aren't obvious to me!
# Posted on June 10th 2011 by AlBrown
Re: Chording in Breton, Galician music etc
If we agree that melodies of Ireland and Scotland lend themselves freely to anyone who would want to put a few chords underneath the tunes, then the same applies to Galician and Breton music, or any other music in this respect. Provided of course that you are well-versed in a given musical tradition, know the tunes well, are a competent player and have a good knowledge of harmony and chord building.
"Some of the chord progressions are not what you'd expect"
I understand that some of the chord progressions are not what you expect when you try to apply your experience from Irish music tradition. Chording for Galician tunes is pretty straightforward, as is basic chording for most Breton tunes; the only things is that Breton tunes lend themselves very well to e.g. jazz arrangements, and Breton dance musicians have a very open approach to experimentation and "modernisation" of their music, therefore it's sometimes hard to speak of a "standard" chording.
For Galician/Asturian music (I'm sorry to put them into one basket!), try Llan de Cubel, who were, to my best knowledge, the pioneers of restoring Asturian music, taking a lot from the Irish music revival; and Felpeyu (sadly, they disbanded after two of their members perished in a car accident) - their arrangements are quite straightforward, but very pleasant;
For Breton music, start with Jean Guichen, for example - a former member of Ar Ye Yaouank who is pretty aggressive on his guitar (you can see he liked his rock LPs), but his chording became a guidance for many younger players on how to interpret Breton music.
Remember also that chording is one thing - there's also the phrasing, the character of tunes which sometimes allow for a very easy strumming, and sometimes (like in case of certain East and Central European types of dance tunes) require an innovative approach to even sound decent with a guitar/chord instrument in the background.
I wish I could be more helpful - I'll try to compile a set of names worth listening to, not necessarily famous, when I finish work.
# Posted on June 10th 2011 by Janek
Re: Chording in Breton, Galician music etc
Janek - what do you think of Nicolas Quémener's playing ? I was kinda knocked out by it when I saw Pennoù Skoulm recently, only to look back and find I had been listening to him all the way back to an early Arkady album.
# Posted on June 10th 2011 by stoneboy2
Re: Chording in Breton, Galician music etc
Stoneboy2, he would be the opening person on my list of recommendations. I first heard him on the Hudel album "Musiques bretonnes et d'ailleurs" and he immediately became my great inspiration in playing. Hard not to mention also his fantastic singing abilities.
Others I would also recommend: Erwan Volant (more jazzy), Erwan Berenguer (more fancy), Yann-Guirec Le Bars, Yvon Riou; there are also some other names at the back of my head, I would need to spend some time recalling...
# Posted on June 10th 2011 by Janek
Re: Chording in Breton, Galician music etc
You can also listen listen to Soïg Siberil or Roland Conq. ;)
# Posted on June 10th 2011 by Bran Ruz
Re: Chording in Breton, Galician music etc
There are so many great Breton guitarists! There must be a factory in Loudeac churning them out. Gilles Le Bigot is another excellent player, as is Patrice Marzin.
My favourite is Soig Siberil, though.
# Posted on June 11th 2011 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Chording in Breton, Galician music etc
"...the melodies of Ireland and Scotland lend themselves freely to anyone who would want to put a few chords"
But... but... I thought it was sacrilege to suggest such a thing, that 'This Music' doesn't need chords, in fact they destroy it???
Maybe I'll ask Martin Hayes and Denis Cahill, as I'm going to see them play tonight.
# Posted on June 16th 2011 by harmonic miner