Hi all,

I’m not a musician, but this seems to be the place to ask this question, as I guess it’s about music theory? If I’m in the wrong place apologies!

I have been getting into a lot of (predominantly Scottish) folk music lately, and I’ve noticed an odd thing about a lot of tracks. They will start off one way, and about half way through the tone of the music changes completely. It’s almost as if the artists have just strung two different melodies together into one track. Here’s a couple of examples:

At ~2:25

And here at ~3:00

Here’s an example from a non Scottish folk artist. At ~1:50

The last one is interesting because the name of the track is “The wedding / Because he was” Which implies that it is indeed two separate pieces of music rolled into one track.

Is there a name for this sort of transition? It’s obviously not all folk music I listen to, but I’ve never really came across this jarring change in melody in other genres (unless I just haven’t been looking hard enough!)

If it does have a name it may help me to find more of this style of music, because u really do quite like it when a track does this!

Cheers in advance for any help!

  • fleabs@lemmy.worldOP
    1·
    9 months ago

    It’s an old post but I’m still here :) I’m completely uneducated when it comes to music, I’m just a listener, so I had no idea what tonal and modal were. I’m surprised to read that modal mudic is considered less “sophisticated” than tonal music. I find that a little insulting, though maybe I’m just a simple guy 😅

    I can see where the idea that “Modal music doesn’t have as many criteria for what is right or wrong” comes into play with folk music, it really does seem to defy all the rules and just do what it wants!

    Also, yeah I totally agree about the change of mood in the others, I honestly never tire of Lily & Dianna’s, such a dramatic change, I love it!

    Your last paragraph is going to take some digesting when I’m actually sober (which isn’t right now). I get the feeling I may enjoy Jazz though from what you have said…

    Thank you very much for your detailed and expert reply! I really do appreciate it!