How Does Cape Breton Music Differ from Scottish Music?
Because of Cape Breton’s historic isolation, and the rigor of life in early Cape Breton, the music and the Gaelic language from which it derives so much of its flavour survived in a far purer and more vigorous form in Cape Breton than in Scotland. Today, Scottish musicians are flocking to the island to relearn music and dance steps long forgotten in Scotland . Cape Breton music is very fundamentally dance music. Even when no dancers are on the floor, they will be listening and the sound of an entire audience all stamping their feet in time to the music is common in Cape Breton. This contrasts with the pub or concert music seen in Scotland, Ireland, or in most Celtic music concerts in North America. Cape Breton audiences do not clap in time to the music, they are more likely to be tapping their feet vigorously. Where other fiddle traditions may focus on just playing fast, Cape Bretoners are very focused on having a very energized but steady rhythm to the tune. “He or she’s good to dance
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