It’s for this reason that Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, is commonly referred to as ‘The Bard’. Because of this, the term bard has come to take on a new meaning in the modern period – being used as a term of recognition for famous authors or poets. Some of the common instruments heard in Celtic music include violin, lute, flute, bagpipe, harp and several other commonly heard instruments. Conventional instruments are the flute, fiddle, harp, mandolin, bagpipe, bouzoukis, bodhran (Irish. Over time, the tradition of the bard began to fall out of favour, but the cultural significance of their role remained. Folk music - Folk music - General characteristics of folk music: Where a folk song originated is rarely known to its community, and thus the anonymity of the creative process was once considered a major criterion of folk music identification.

Deductions rely primarily on Greek and Roman sources as well as on archaeological finds and interpretations including the reconstruction of the Celts' ancient instruments. More often than not, these multi-talented individuals were funded by a local patron – usually a monarch or nobleman – and amongst their main duties was the job of writing songs that commemorated their employer. Music was surely an integral part of this old cross-European culture, but with only very few exceptions its characteristics have been lost to us. However, they were also known to fulfil the role of local historian and at times even the lawyer.

Bards relied on a strong oral tradition and acted primarily as the community’s musician, poet and storyteller. Answer (1 of 2): Let’s start by agreeing what ‘Celtic Music’ is How about ‘ Celtic music is the characteristic music of cultures where Celtic languages are spoken. Going back as far as the medieval period, one of the most important roles throughout Scottish communities was an individual known as the bard. It’s fair to say that music has always been an integral part of Scottish culture.

Characteristics of celtic music