Irish Dance Music

Irish dances follow a simple form, usually in two parts.

AA - 8 bars + 8 bars

BB - 8 bars + 8 bars

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A is known as the tune

B is known as the turn.

B normally has more notes and uses a higher range than A

Often one dance tune will run into another. This is known as a set.

Types of Dance

Reel

Single jig

Double jig

Slip jig

Hornpipe

Polka

Time Signature: 4 4 or 2 2

Tempo: Fast

Rhyme : ‘black and decker’

Time Signature: 6 8

Tempo: Fast

Info: Don't need to know the difference Aurally between the single and double jig.

Time Signature: 6 8

Tempo: Fast

Rhyme: ‘Rashers and Sausages’

Time Signature: 9 8

Tempo: Fast

Rhyme: ‘Rashers and sausages, bacon’

Time Signature: 4 4

Tempo: Slow

Rhyme: Horsey horsey triplety triplety

Slide

Time Signature: 12 8 or 6 8

Tempo: Fast

Info: Popular in the Sliabh Luachra area of Ireland

Time Signature: 2 4

Tempo: Fast

Info: Originally a Bohemian Folk dance.

Traditional Irish music originated in the Gaelic speaking peasantry of the 18th Century

Dancing was very popular at weddings and other social events

Typical Bar of rhythm: image

Typical bar of rhythm: image

Typical bar of rhythm: image

typical bar of rhythm: image

Examples

Reel

Hornpipe

Slip Jig

Cooley's Reel

The Rights of Man

Crow's Nest

Double Jig

I buried my wife and danced on top of her