Capercilliie

The song combines folk and rock instruments. The (amplified) instruments associated with rock music are:

• synthesiser
• Wurlitzer 
• piano
• bass
• drum kit

The (acoustic) instruments associated with folk music are:

• violin (fiddle)
• accordion
• pipes
• bouzouki

A layered (contrapuntal) texture is created through the following:

• A rhythmic pattern on the drum kit.
• A bass line played by bass guitar.
• Chords on the synthesizer and accordion.
• Counter melodies on the melody instruments.

• Phrase 1: Call (in Gaelic).
• Refrain 1: Response (vocables).
• Phrase 2: Call (in Gaelic).
• Refrain 2: Response (vocables).

The overall structure:

• INTRO 
• VERSE 1 
• BREAK 
• VERSE 2
• VERSE 3 
• VERSE 4 
• VERSE 5 
• VERSE 6 
• INSTRUMENTAL 
• VERSE 7 
• VERSE 8 
• OUTRO 

• It is in the key of G Major.
• The piece is entirely diatonic.
• G, E Minor and C are the 3 main chords.
• It has a modal feel.

Chords

• The intro established the chord sequence Em-G 
• This changes to C-G-Em-G in Verse 4 
• In verse 7, the chord sequence changes to Am7-Em-Em-G for 1 verse 
• returning to C-G-Em-C in verse 8 
• alternating C-G chords in the outro

• The time signature is 12/8.
• Frequent syncopation in vocal and instrumental lines.
• Use of cross rhythms at the start of the song are created by a hi hat.

The shaker and hi-hat play every two beats giving the rhythm a TRIPLE feel. 

• The piece is pentatonic.
• Mainly syllabic.
• Alternates between 1 bar phrases.

• The dynamics build with the texture of the song,
• dropping considerably in verse 7 
• A long FADE OUT brings the song to an end