GCSE Music 

Irish Jigs & Reels. A Synchronised dance.

 

What? Jigs and Reels are lively folk dances.

Where? Ireland.

When? Traditional Irish - hundreds of years.

Who? Oral tradition melodies often anonymous.

Tempo - Fast - Strong regular beat.

Rhythm

Jigs - count in 3. Time signature 6/8, 9/8 or 12/8 eg. 6/8 has 6 quavers in a bar. (say did-dl-y).

Reels - count in 4. Time signature 4/4 or 2/4.

Remember Jig = 3 letters. Reel = 4 letters

Instruments

Fiddle, Tin Whistle, Uilleann Pipes, Guitar, Accordion.

Bodhran - traditional Irish Framed drum.

The Dance

Complicated footwork, still upper body. Social dances (join in) or Performance (watch)

Venue / Location - Fair, Wedding, Ceili, Celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AoS3 Irish Jigs & Reels - Traded Tips

 

Tempo - Jigs - Very Fast. Reels - Fast.

Rhythm - Jigs - 3/4, 6/8, 9/8 - did-le-y. Reels - 4/4.

Articulation - Strong accents on first beat of bar.

Dynamics - Loud.

Expression - Exciting.

Devices - Repetition.

 

Texture - Melody and accompaniment but can be heterophonic.

Instruments - Guitar, Fiddle, Tin Whistle, Bodhran, Flute, Folk Harp.

Pitch - High pitch melody (whistle, fiddle).

Structure - Binary (A,B or AA,BB) or Ternary (ABA or AA BB AA) Common.

 

Other...Group or solo dance. still upper body. Traditional. Aural tradition.