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| Dances |
| Ever wondered what exactly the difference between a jig and a slipjig were, or a slow hornpipe or traditional hornpipe? Well, look no further!! |
| Jig |
| Softshoe (or ghilie) dances (i.e. done while wearing softshoes) |
| Measure: 6/8 time (two triplets per bar or 6 eighth notes) Beat: Usually around 113 beats per sec(bps) Rhythm: 1-2-3 1-2-3 Special Notes: A very energetic dance and very "hoppy". One of the first dances you'll learn. |
| Slipjig |
| Measure: 9/8 time (three triplets per bar) Beat: Usually around 113 bps Rhythm: 1-2-3 1-2-3 1-2-3 Special Notes: A very graceful dance (my personal fav) a lot of emphasis is put on elevation and smoothness. |
| Single Jig |
| Measure: 12/8 time (four triplets per bar) or 6/8 time (see jig) Beat: Usually around 113 bps Rhythm: 1-2-3 1-2-3 1-2-3 1-2-3 Special Notes: Noted especially for its "jumpyness" Emphasis placed on being very up and down and short hops or skips. The children's tune "Ring around the Mulberry bush" is a single jig |
| Reel |
| Measure: 4/4 time (four quarter notes per bar) Beat: Usually around 113 bps Rhythm: 1-2-3-4 Special Notes: Another of the first dances you'll learn, this had the basic sevens and threes needed for most ceili dances. It is thought the reel rhythm was gotten from the Scots |
| Hardshoe dances (i.e. dances done while wearing hardshoes) |
| Traditional Hornpipe |
| Measure: Usually 2/4 time (2 quarters per bar) but sometimes in 4/4 Beat: Usually around 113 bps Rhythm: (2/4) 1-2 (4/4) 1-2-3-4 Special Notes: The first hornpipe you learn |
| Slow Hornpipe |
| Measure: Usually 2/4 time but sometimes 4/4 Beat: Around 113 bps(?) Rhythm: (2/4) 1-2 (4/4) 1-2-3-4 Special Notes: You will learn this as you advance as a dancer. Because of the slower speed the steps get more intricate and (of course) more difficult. |
| Treble Jig |
| Measure: 6/8 time (see jig) Beat: 73 bps Rhythm: 1-2-3 1-2-3 Special Notes: It is pretty much exactly like the jig only a little slower and in hardshoes. |
| Figures |
| Measure: Varies usually Jig or Reel time Beat: Usuallly around 113 bps Rhythm: Varies Special Notes: These dances are "done by the book" in a feis (i.e.the choreography has been laid down by the comisiun) These incluce 2-hands, 3-hands, 4-hands, 6-hands, and 8-hands (or ceilis) (This means 2,3,4,6,8 people dancing respectivly) I've heard that way back in the day figures were mostly done in single jig time, very interesting! |
| Traditional Set and St. Patrick's Day to come |
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