Re: how to tell the difference between reels, jigs and horpipes? If it’s a jig,you can fit the word ‘galloping’ into it most of the time. Hornpipes are usually slower than reels and sometimes have a dotted rhythm.
What is the difference between a reel and a hornpipe?
If you can say ‘double decker, double decker’ in time to the music it’s a reel. Hornpipes are harder, the rhythm is more flexible - many but not all go ‘Humpty dumpty, humpty dumpty’. But the real give away that it is a hornpipe is that each section ends with three even crochets (quarter notes).
What is the difference between a jig and a hornpipe?
Hornpipes are harder, the rhythm is more flexible - many but not all go ‘Humpty dumpty, humpty dumpty’. But the real give away that it is a hornpipe is that each section ends with three even crochets (quarter notes). Re: Trying to explain the difference between a jig, reel and hornpipe. Good explanations, Beanstalk.
How to tell the difference between reels and jigs and horpipes?
If it’s a jig,you can fit the word ‘galloping’ into it most of the time. Hornpipes are usually slower than reels and sometimes have a dotted rhythm. # Posted by TradChic 13 years ago. Re: how to tell the difference between reels, jigs and horpipes? # Posted by ceolachan 13 years ago. Re: how to tell the difference between reels, jigs and horpipes?
What is the difference between a single jig and a jig?
The only real difference between them are the note patterns. A single jig leans toward a pattern of eighth notes (or “quavers”) followed by quarter notes (or “crochets”). If you’ve heard the English Christmas carol “I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In,” you’ve heard a single jig.
Is a reel the same as a jig?
Jig and reel are words that tell about the tempo of a composition in Irish music. Look at how the notes are arranged. A jig has a 6/8 tempo, while a reel has a 4/4 tempo. Both jigs and reels are duples but, in a bar, a reel has 4-8 notes whereas a jig has just 6.Jul 14, 2011
How can you tell a jig from a reel?
ReelA jig and a reel are two different dance forms with two different music compositions associated with each other.Jigs are of many types like: heavy jig, light jig, hop jig, slip jig, triple jig; a reel has no types.The time signature of a jig is 6/8, and the time signature of a reel is 4/4.More items...
What makes a jig a jig?
The Jig is a quick, lively dance-tune with a 6/8 time signature and is played in compound time. This means that its main beats (it has two dotted crotchets) can be sub-divided into groups of three quavers.
What makes a song a hornpipe?
hornpipe, name of a wind instrument and of several dances supposedly performed to it. The instrument is a single-reed pipe with a cowhorn bell (sometimes two parallel pipes with a common bell) and is often converted into a bagpipe.
How do you identify a hornpipe?
Hornpipe. Hornpipe is counted and written as 4 beats per bar, quarter notes as beat unit. It follows a pattern of having a streched first and third note in each bar, as opposed to the straight forward rhythm in reel. If Reel is 1-and 2-and 3-and 4-and, then Hornpipe would be 1-and 2-and 3-and 4-and.
How can you tell a hornpipe?
If you can say 'double decker, double decker' in time to the music it's a reel. Hornpipes are harder, the rhythm is more flexible - many but not all go 'Humpty dumpty, humpty dumpty'. But the real give away that it is a hornpipe is that each section ends with three even crochets (quarter notes).Apr 8, 2010
Which is faster a jig or a reel?
The reel is the easiest type of dance form and is taught to beginners. On the other hand, the jig has a fast rhythm and is comparatively tougher than the reel. The jig has many derivative forms of dances in other forms.
What is the rhythm of a hornpipe?
You could get away with playing straight eighth notes in a reel, but hornpipes should be played with a dotted eighth note rhythm. Most of the time, they are not notated as such in sheet music, so this is an important thing to remember! They have a bouncy, swung feel that lends to their slower tempo.Jul 2, 2021
What is a jigger in fishing?
A jiggerpole (or jigger pole) is a long fishing pole that is used with a short and heavy line, usually a foot (0.3 m) or less of 50 lbf (220 N) test or heavier. Then a large lure or bait is attached and manually worked around the shoreline and cover.
Why is it called a hornpipe?
The earliest references to hornpipes are from England with Hugh Aston's Hornepype of 1522 and others referring to Lancashire hornpipes in 1609 and 1613. It is suggested that the hornpipe as a dance began around the 16th century on English sailing vessels.
What is the difference between a jig and a slip jig?
A slip jig is similar to a single or double jig (and can incorporate either, or both, note patterns), but is played in 9/8 time. This gives it a slightly more lilting, more leisurely, less driving, feel than the single and double jigs. That “jiggedy” pulse is still there, though!Jul 17, 2013
What does the word hornpipe mean?
Definition of hornpipe 1 : a single-reed wind instrument consisting of a wooden or bone pipe with finger holes, a bell, and mouthpiece usually of horn. 2 : a lively folk dance of the British Isles originally accompanied by hornpipe playing.
What is a double jig?
Likewise, what is a double jig? A double jig is in 6/8 time and features two groups of three eighth notes per bar. A single jig can be written in 6/8 or 12/8 (usually called a slide, then), and features a rhythmic pattern of a quarter note followed by an eighth note, commonly with two quarter notes at the ends of each part of the tune.
What is reel dance?
Definition: A reel is a traditional dance tune type, commonly found in traditional Irish music, as well as traditional Scottish music, as well as other genres that were subsequently influenced by Irish or Scottish music. Reel can also refer to a country dance that is performed in figures.
What is the difference between a single jig and a double jig?
The only real difference between them are the note patterns. A single jig leans toward a pattern of eighth notes (or “quavers”) followed by quarter notes (or “crochets”).
What is a jig tune?
A jig is a particular type of tune; one that’s marked by a very distinctive “pulse” (underlying rhythm), as you’ll see (or rather, hear). It’s very handy that this particular “pulse” has the same feel as the word “jiggedy!”
How many types of jigs are there?
If you can keep this “pulse” going along with a tune, you’ll know you’ve got a jig on your hands. There are four basic types of jigs — single jigs, double jigs, slip jigs, and slides. They all have this same underlying “jiggedy” pulse going on.
What is a reel in music?
Reels. Reels are the rock and rollers of the Irish trad world. Musicians love to play them hard and fast (though they’re often more appropriately played at a moderate speed for dancers). If you listen to a reel, one of the first things you should notice is that it doesn’t have that “jiggedy” pulse going on.
Where did hornpipes come from?
Generally played more slowly than other session tunes, with a definite “roll” to their gait, hornpipes came to Ireland from England, most likely brought by sailors. They were originally written for sailors to dance to in the cramped conditions aboard ship.
What is a good word to remember how the pulse of a reel should go?
If you like using a word to remember how the pulse of a reel should go, a good one is “watermelon “:
Why were sailors' hornpipes written?
They were originally written for sailors to dance to in the cramped conditions aboard ship. In fact, the classic “sailors’ hornpipe” is danced almost entirely in place.
What is the difference between a reel and a jig?
The difference between reel and Jig is about how a musician arranges notes in a composition. However, before going into the description about the differences, let us get to know the context in which reel and jig appear. Irish people are fond of their traditional music, and gather to play or hear this music. The event is referred to as a session, and musicians get together to play music in a relaxed manner, and those who love music just listen to this music in rapt attention. What happens in a session is that someone starts a tune, and those who know it join in later. It is customary to present tunes one after another in such a manner that it looks like a set. In general, tunes in a set are all similar such as jigs or reels. Jigs and reels are names given to particular compositions depending upon how the notes are arranged. People who are not Irish or those who are not musicians find it difficult to appreciate the differences between jigs and reels. This article attempts to clarify these differences.
What is a jig and reel?
Jigs and reels are names given to particular compositions depending upon how the notes are arranged. People who are not Irish or those who are not musicians find it difficult to appreciate the differences between jigs and reels. This article attempts to clarify these differences.
What is a Jig?
If you can count 3 notes, you are listening to a jig. To make it simpler, try to listen to words more carefully and clearly. Take an example of the word terminator. In a jig, you would hear the word as ter-mina-tor (remember, they come in groups of three).
What is a reel in Irish music?
As you can see, reel and jig are words that are used to refer to the tempo of a composition in Irish music. Now that you know what each stands for, try to find out whether you are listening to a jig or a reel next time you are listening to Irish music.
How to tell if you are listening to a reel or not?
To find out whether you are listening to a reel or not follow the same method we followed in finding out a jig. Just tap your feet along with the music in a natural manner. Then, try to count fast notes between each tap. If you can count 4 paces, it is a reel that you are hearing, and not a jig.
How many notes are in a jig?
In a bar, a jig has just 6 notes. If you know how to read music from a printed sheet of paper, you know that the tune starts with a clef. This clef appears as a weird squiggle. Just after the clef are two numbers. If the numbers are 6 and 8 then, the tune is a jig. You must have also heard of a dance called jig.
What is a terminator in a jig?
Take an example of the word terminator. In a jig, you would hear the word as ter-mina-tor (remember, they come in groups of three). Jig is a duple. A duple is something that is concerned with the rhythm. It is based on two main beats to the bar.
What is a slow jive?
If you can jive to it - It’s a reel. A slow jive is a hornpipe and you can do a Military Twostep to a Jig.
Who plays Kilmarnock FC in the Sailor's Hornpipe?
For the Sailor’s Hornpipe it’s "Aberdeen FC plays Kilmarnock FC"
Is a hornpipe slower than a reel?
If it’s a jig,you can fit the word ‘galloping’ into it most of the time. Hornpipes are usually slower than reels and sometimes have a dotted rhythm.

First, Some Basics
and A Bit of Terminology
So Many Tunes; So Little Time!
Jigs
- Before you ask…no, they’re not ALL jigs!Jigs are so closely associated in peoples’ minds with Irish dance music that the uninitiated seem to think that “jig” is just another word for “Irish dance.” A jig is a particular type of tune; one that’s marked by a very distinctive “pulse” (underlying rhythm), as you’ll see (or rather, hear). It’s very handy that this particular “pulse” has the same feel as the wor…
Reels
- Reels are the rock and rollers of the Irish trad world. Musicians love to play them hard and fast (though they’re often more appropriately played at a moderate speed for dancers). If you listen to a reel, one of the first things you should notice is that it doesn’t have that “jiggedy” pulse going on. The pulse is driving, and grouped in fours: “ONE-two-three-four, ONE-two-three-four, etc.” If you li…
Hornpipes
- If jigs skip and lilt and reels drive, hornpipes swagger. Generally played more slowly than other session tunes, with a definite “roll” to their gait, hornpipes came to Ireland from England, most likely brought by sailors. They were originally written for sailors to dance to in the cramped conditions aboard ship. In fact,the classic “sailors’ hornp...
of Course, There’S more!
- Of course, there’s lots more to the world of instrumental Irish musicthan jigs, slides, reels, and hornpipes! Polkas, waltzes, and mazurkas; barn dances and highlands, marches and strathspeys and slow airs…it’s quite a list! With these few styles under your belt, however, you’ll feel a bit more at home at your first session! Just don’t forget to give the musicians a hearty “maith sibh!” (my s…