the air of a lament

[Tia]

So I just bought a book of celtic tunes today, and they dont have the description of what they are, jig, reel, air and so on, which is ok but got me thinking whats the difference between an lament and an air, and how can you tell the difference?
Thanks

[pipersgrip]

that is a good question, i have always thought that they were just the same meaning.

[chas]

An air is usually a song tune; it can be a general kind of instrumental tune that's not any of the traditional sorts of dance tunes. A lament is specifically a tune or song that laments something, usually the passing of a loved one, patron, etc.* So laments are airs, while the converse is not true in all cases.

*One specific sort of uncommon lament is "Squire Wood's lamentation on the refusal of his halfpence." Squire Wood was a locally powerful man who'd started striking his own money, which pissed off the powers that were, leading to the refusal of his halfpence. O'Carolan wrote the lament.

[Tim2723]

Charlie's definition is as close as you're likely to get. A lot of these terms get bandied about loosely, and some have adopted new meanings over time. Laments tell the story of something sad, and are most often slow, sad tunes. We can play the tune of a lament without the words, or it may have no words at all. An air (aire) refers simply to the melodic line of a song. Bach's Aire on a G String, is a good example of an aire with no words.

The word that gets mixed up with it a lot is ballad. The meaning of ballad has changed significantly. Today it can mean any slow song, especially one played by a group known for fast music, as in 'rock ballad'. A ballad is a song that tells a story with a beginning, middle and end, and is not always slow and gentle. One of the true ballads to reach huge popularity was the theme song to the Beverly Hillbillies, The Ballad of Jed Clampet. It introduces a character (Come and listen to the story of a man named Jed), tells about him (a poor mountaineer, barely kept his family fed), and what happens to him (he loaded up the truck and moved to Beverly).

Be prepared to encounter all kinds of variations of definitions when it comes to music. It's just part of the game.

[talasiga]

Yes I agree with these comments.

In music "airs" mean melody or song type.

In Irish music, airs that are played in dance rhythm framework are known by the dance terms of reel. jig, slip jig and the like. Irish airs in non dance rhythm are called songs and slow airs (without ryhythm - but not without timing) are known as just that or commonly as airs.

There is nothing against taking the melody in a reel and interpreting it in slow air. If done well you will be appreciated for your sensitivity and inventiveness. If not you will branded a traitor to the tradition.

On another note,
when I write in my profile, "Irish fluting indic airs" I mean that I specialise in interpreting indic raags with my Irish flute through all the raag movements with and without rhythmic framework.

The Irish slow airs that I hear that strike me as the most lamentful are generally in Dorian mode. Mixolydian mode slow airs tend more towards sweet reverie wheras an Ionian Air, even if sad, is touched by a sense of heroism or at least hope. Just my personal feelings here.

[Tony McGinley]

While agreeing with most of what has been said,
I also believe this confusion arises because Ireland's
history is a very sad one and a great number of
songs and ballads have reflected that sadness.

It may also have to do with the Irish national character
being somewhat introspective and poetic, because even
new pieces of ITM have that plaintiveness. In fact,
a lot of the dance music has that 'piquant' flavour hidden
in it's texture.

[talasiga]

......
It may also have to do with the Irish national character
being somewhat introspective and poetic, because even
new pieces of ITM have that plaintiveness. In fact,
a lot of the dance music has that 'piquant' flavour hidden
in it's texture.

Unfortunately, when it comes to what I hear in sessions, it is mostly too hidden in the "dance" music. Robotic playing, excessive guitar strummings and a technical rather than rhapsodic approach to the pieces may be partly to blame. I don't know Tony, what it is. Any comments?

[Tony McGinley]

@ Talasiga

I have nothing at all against a good old rhythmic jam,
where everyone, even bodhran players!, can join in and
have some fun. But you are quite correct in your observation
of excesses of geometric or digital type playing, where any
hint of lyricism is lost.

That is why perhaps that I keep returning frequently to the
playing of Martin Hayes and Denis Cahill in order to remind
me of just how beautiful Irish dance music can be. Last time I
spoke to Martin he said they were working on a new album.
I have been checking regularly but not sign of a launch yet.

[Tia]

thanks everyone, I kinda thought that had somthing to do with it, but now its alot more clear, just to make sure on something, all laments have words to them?
Thanks!

[talasiga]

......
That is why perhaps that I keep returning frequently to the
playing of Martin Hayes and Denis Cahill in order to remind
me of just how beautiful Irish dance music can be. Last time I
spoke to Martin he said they were working on a new album.
I have been checking regularly but not sign of a launch yet.

In January, at Byron Bay, I was in audience of Martin Hayes (with Dennis Cahill). Really beautiful and emotional concert for me. I was with some nice friends two.

[Tony McGinley]

@ Tia

Just to confuse you Tia!!!

Most laments, but not all, would have words.
Some were written as a musical piece for
the funeral of a chieftain or other important
person. Later words would have been added
in many cases.

Another feature of Irish music are the many
variations of tunes that have evolved in a system
where the music was aural and not written down.

Danny Boy is a good example of this. The title
and commonly known words are very recent,
while the tune itself is very old. It is more correctly
known as the Derry Air. A recent example IMHO is the
anthem "You raise me up" But that might be starting
argument!