Actually, the tune Battle of the Somme is most usually played by pipers as a 9/8 march (for those of you familiar, similar to The Heights of Dargai or The Queen's Own Highlanders at Anduki). So technically, yes, it is normal to play it that quickly. Most like it was written as a retreat march. There is also a jig version, I believe.
nacho1560, I played this the other night and an acquaintance came up to me an mentioned that highland dancers have a "modern" dance called the lilt that's played to the Battle of the Somme tune, though sped up quite a bit as you can tell from this video. I prefer the 75 ish BPM tempo myself, and yeah, it's a rather odd thing to be dancing about to.
@nacho1560 Mmm, we play this one quite slowly. I've always seen it as a lament and it doesn't quite seem right to play this so fast. Plus, is it just me or have they picked a really odd note for the drone? It's ended up in Bb mixolydian rather than Eb ionian.
@nacho1560 This tune is also played for highland dancers. Go to any highland games or dance competition, and you will see highland dancers dancing to this tune.
Actually, the tune Battle of the Somme is most usually played by pipers as a 9/8 march (for those of you familiar, similar to The Heights of Dargai or The Queen's Own Highlanders at Anduki). So technically, yes, it is normal to play it that quickly. Most like it was written as a retreat march. There is also a jig version, I believe.
PiperGlack 8 months ago
I was married at Gretna Green17 years ago and this is one of my favourite Scottish tunes. Awesome.
BigAndra1962 1 year ago
nacho1560, I played this the other night and an acquaintance came up to me an mentioned that highland dancers have a "modern" dance called the lilt that's played to the Battle of the Somme tune, though sped up quite a bit as you can tell from this video. I prefer the 75 ish BPM tempo myself, and yeah, it's a rather odd thing to be dancing about to.
pipertripp 2 years ago
well played idont know anything about piping but isnt the drone a bit out of tune?
ramron333 2 years ago
I'm probably very wrong but isn't it a bit out of taste to dance to a lament. The Somme was Hell on Earth.
nacho1560 2 years ago 3
Hi sorry if this has offended you in any way
digicam8 2 years ago
@nacho1560 Mmm, we play this one quite slowly. I've always seen it as a lament and it doesn't quite seem right to play this so fast. Plus, is it just me or have they picked a really odd note for the drone? It's ended up in Bb mixolydian rather than Eb ionian.
eyeball226 1 year ago
@nacho1560 This tune is also played for highland dancers. Go to any highland games or dance competition, and you will see highland dancers dancing to this tune.
MacDonald989 11 months ago
@nacho1560 well it depends on how you see the dance
LynxEng 4 months ago
Great music, well played. Irreverently called "See's the key or I'll roar up her lobby."
fongchaynun 3 years ago
Great vid!!!!
5*****++*
I will favorate this one!
Cheers
Andreas
TheHighlandPiper 3 years ago