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: 
Typical bar of rhythm:
Typical bar of rhythm:
typical bar of rhythm:
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