Dance Tunes

Understanding traditional Irish dance tunes is essential for Question 5: Irish Traditional Music in the Leaving Certificate Music Higher Level exam. Here's a concise guide to the main types of dance tunes, their characteristics, and tips to help you identify them.

Types of Dance Tunes

Reels

• Time Signature: 4/4
• Rhythm: Fast and flowing, primarily quaver movement with accents on the first and third beats.
• Origin: Scottish, introduced to Ireland in the late 18th century.
• Structure: Typically two 8-bar phrases (AABB), each repeated.
• Examples:
  • "Cooley's Reel"
  • "The Wind That Shakes the Barley"

Jigs

• Time Signatures:
  • Double Jig: 6/8
  • Single Jig: 6/8
  • Slip Jig: 9/8
• Rhythm:
  • Double Jig: "Rashers and sausages" rhythm (two groups of three quavers).
  • Slip Jig: "Rashers and sausages fried egg" rhythm (three groups of three quavers).
• Origin: Considered native to Ireland, with many composed in the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Structure: Similar to reels, often in AABB form.
• Examples:
  • Double Jig: "The Tenpenny Bit"
  • Slip Jig: "The Butterfly"

Hornpipes

• Time Signature: 4/4
• Rhythm: Slower than reels, characterized by a dotted rhythm with a swing feel; and strong accents on the first and third beats.
• Origin: English, but widely adopted into Irish tradition.
• Structure: Often in AABB form, with each part typically ending with three strong crotchets.
• Examples:
  • "The Harvest Home"
  • "The Rights of Man"

Polkas

• Time Signature: 2/4
• Rhythm: Very fast tempo with a straightforward rhythm, making them popular in set dances.
• Origin: Associated with the Sliabh Luachra region of West Munster.
• Structure: Typically two 8-bar phrases, each repeated (AABB).
• Examples:
  • "The Kerry Polka"
  • "Britches Full of Stitches"

Slides

• Time Signature: 12/8 or 6/8
• Rhythm: Fast tempo, similar to single jigs but played more quickly; often associated with a bouncy feel.
• Origin: Particularly popular in the Sliabh Luachra region.
• Structure: Similar to jigs, often in AABB form.
• Examples:
  • "Denis Murphy's Slide"

General Structure of Irish Dance Tunes

• Form: Most tunes consist of two 8-bar parts, labelled A and B, each repeated, resulting in an AABB structure.
• Repetition: Repetition is common, with some tunes having three or even four parts.
• Sub-Phrases: Each 8-bar part can often be divided into two 4-bar sub-phrases, which may be similar.

Exam Tips

• Time Signatures: Memorize the time signatures associated with each dance type to help identify them in listening exams.
• Rhythmic Patterns: Familiarize yourself with the characteristic rhythms (e.g., the "rashers and sausages" rhythm of jigs) to distinguish between tune types.
• Listening Practice: Regularly listen to examples of each dance tune to internalize their unique features.
• Historical Context: Understand the origins and regional associations of each dance type, as this can provide context in essay questions.

By mastering these characteristics and practising active listening, you'll be well-prepared to tackle questions on Irish dance tunes in your exam.