Abstract:
Piobaireachd is a traditional Gaelic genre of music that is characterized by sophisticated melodic
motives and phrase structures. Piobaireachd music is written for traditional Gaelic instruments
such as the harp, fiddle, and great highland bagpipe. Parts of piobairechd compositions feature
unique qualities that have not been widely explored through an analytical lens. The goal of the
analysis of melodic, modal, and structural characteristics of piobaireachd is to identify and
speculate on the connections of each characteristic. This information will be useful to both music
theorists and performers of piobaireachd music. This thesis focuses on specific sections of
piobaireachd music written for the great highland bagpipe from 1760-1841. Through study and
analysis of normative aspects of phrase structures and melodies, this paper discusses the presence
of sequential melodic motives and their impact on modal characteristics of piobaireachd music.
In particular, the conclusive observation was that sequential melodic motives often accompany
the use of a double-tonic mode in the theme of a piobaireachd piece. The use of sequences to
connect the motivic development of irregular phrase structures was also observed in this study.
The methodology that was used to come to these conclusions consisted of a descriptive analysis
of primary sources as well as review and content analysis of literature. Developing from simplest
to most complex topics, this paper is organized into five chapters. This study is not intended to
be an authoritative approach to interpretation of piobaireachd music, but rather an informative
study that will help to develop the analytical approaches to piobaireachd music.
