Irish Dance Music Dancing is part of every culture and

Irish culture is no different. Our historical records do not show the

music or the dance steps but we do know the names of several types of dances for example “The sword dance” and “The Haye”

Irish Dance Music Music was unwritten and

musicians played and learned tunes by ear.

Their tunes were passed from one generation to the next just like all Irish Music. They must have had excellent memories as a skilled musician could play any one of several hundred tunes on request.

Irish Dance Music

From the 1750s onwards, Dance Masters travelled from village to village.

They were often accompanied by a fiddler or piper.

They taught the jig, reel, hornpipe and set dances.

There are more than 7000 dance tunes.

Irish Dance Music

Time Signature 6 8

A single jig has the typical rhythm crotchet, quaver. The Three Note Jig

A fast single jig is often called a slide: Kerry Slide No. 2

A Double Jig has the typical rhythm 3 quavers. East of Glenart.

The slip/hop jig is in 9 8 time. Nead na Lachan Sa Mhuta

Jig

Irish Dance Music

Jigs: The Three Note Jig

Irish Dance Music

Jigs: East of Glenart

Irish Dance Music

Jigs: Nead na Lachan Sa Mhuta

Irish Dance Music

The reel originated in Scotland. It is a fast dance in 2 4, 4 4 or 2 2 time. A typical rhythm is 2 groups of 4 quavers. The round is played two/three times before a new

reel is introduced. Example: The Rakes of Mallow

The Reel

Irish Dance Music

Reel: The Rakes of Mallow

Irish Dance Music

Reel: The Rakes of Mallow

Irish Dance MusicHornpipe

This dance is of English origin.

It is in 4 4 or 2 2 time.

It is slower than a reel.

There is an accent on the first and third beat.

The rhythm is dotted. See board for an example.

Example: Harvest Home

Irish Dance Music

Hornpipe: Harvest Home

Irish Dance MusicThe Slide

The slide is a really fast single jig in 6 8 time

Traditionally it was heard in the areas of Clare, Cork, Limerick and Kerry.

It was particularly associated with Sliabh Luachra on the Cork/Kerry Border

The slide was often used for set dancing.

Irish Dance MusicThe Polka

The Polka is a fast dance in 2 4 time

It is also associated with Clare, Cork, Limerick and Kerry but can be heard all over the country

This was also often used for these sets.

Irish Dance MusicSet or long Dance

These are solo dances.

They usually use a jig or hornpipe rhythm and the second section is longer than the first.

They required a very skilled performer.

Each tune has it’s own particular dance

E.g.. St. Patrick’s Day

Irish Dance MusicSets and Half-sets

These derived from the quadrille a French dance popular during Napoleon’s time

They were adapted with native steps and speeding up the the tempo to hat of a jig/reel.

Full set was 4 couples, a half set was two couples

Each area developed their own variation

E.g. The Kerry Set

Irish Dance Music

There are usually 32 tune bars in total. This is called the round.

This is divided into two 16 bar sections. The first section is called the Tune. This consists

of an 8 bar phrase that is repeated (called A) The second section is called the Turn. This also

consists of an 8 bar phrase that is repeated (B)

Structure of Irish Dance Tunes

Irish Dance Music

A A B B

8 Bars 8 Bars 8 Bars 8 Bars

Tune Turn

Structure of Dances