The Brass Coast music

The Music of The Brass Coast

Style summary

Like the Freeborn themselves, their music is rhythmic, vigorous and fiery. Waily reeded or brass instruments, rich vocal harmonies and the strumming of strings resound in counterpoint with the ever-present syncopation of drums, tambourines and claves. It is said a Freeborn will make an instrument out of anything - hands, cutlery, tables and crockery are all used to enthusiastically accompany performers. Their vocal tradition involves not only the singing of complex melodies and accompaniment, but also encourages others to join in ululating harmonies, drones and chants. The overall impression is vibrant, noisy and enthusiastic - music, like everything in their lives, is to be savoured to the utmost.

Brass Coast music draws on the real world inspiration of Corsican music, Spanish Pilgrim songs, Italian lauda, and New World sea shanties. Although they are a seafaring nation, more traditional English shanties (such as Poor Tom Bowling, The Mermaid etc.) would be better suited to the musical tradition of the Marches.

Commonly known songs

• Riqueza's Dream Telling one version of the tale of the founding of the Brass Coast this song is popular in taverns and Alcazars. It has sparked off several diplomatic incidents by 'accidentally' offending Highborn visitors.
• Sail Away Across the Sea This popular song expresses the Freeborn's joy in a seafaring life.

A musical tradition

Various kinds of performance are inherent to the practice of magic in the Brass Coast. See Brass Coast Magical Traditions for more information.

Further examples

Songs

• Fire Maringo - easy call and response song
• Riqueza's Dream - medium call and response song
• Sail Away Across the Sea - medium call and response song
• Stella Nuova - TO DO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yQkJ9aaZKg
• Inez y Guerra medium call and response about a famous Captain
• Wagon song medium difficulty travelling song with chorus accompaniment
• Corsican song - TO DO
• Lost Segura - plaintive lament for lost territory.

Instrumentation and tunes

High percussion e.g. tambourines, shakers, clapping, high drums; reeded woodwind (especially if a bit waily and 'snake charmer' sounding); high metallic pipes/penny whistles; jangly bouzoukis or guitars.

Other performance traditions

• Dance/fire dance, a huge part of Brass Coast Magical Traditions.

How to adapt your repertoire

• Never perform without giving your audience a way to join in. Get them clapping or stomping, or tell them to cheer or repeat when they hear certain words. If you are ambitious teach them a simple ostinato to go under the song. It's all about the participation!
• Rhythms could be much lighter than other nations, keep them syncopated (off beat), and on tambourines, castanets, shakers, or light drums. Keep your playing light and bouncy!
• Don't be afraid to ornament when you are singing, have a listen to some waily Spanish or Arabic medieval music and copy the style into the songs you are choosing.

Our sources

• Instrumental: Susanna Seivane,
• Song: Severa Nazarkhan, Corsican chants (sourced from Northern Harmony), Spanish Music of Travel and Discovery (CD), various pilgrim songs arranged by Katy Cooper of Glasgow Madrigirls, Martin Codax's Songs of Friendship, Marie Kerouz (Maronite liturgical music), Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (urdu-pop)
• Good list of sea shanty lyrics (stick to the Spanishy sounding ones): http://www.boundingmain.com/Lyrics.htm

A Brass Coast youtube playlist to get you in the mood! To add to this get in touch with Daisy or post your own.