IRISH JIGS AND REELS

A Brief History – a social dance Folk dances have been present in Ireland

for centuries Influenced over the years by invaders,

such as the Celts, Vikings and Normans Performed in groups - social Céilí – dance and music

Performance dance

Can be danced as a solo/group to an audience

Developed in Ireland in mid-18th century by the dance masters

This tradition lasted until the early 20th century – dance masters had embellished, refined and standardised many dance steps and dances

During this period, the step dance was created

Step dance

Greatly popularised by Riverdance, first performed in 1994 during the interval of the Eurovision Song Contest

Drew attention to Irish dancing 1995 Riverdance show opened in Dublin

and now tours throughout Europe and to New York

What does the dance look like? Click here to view Riverdance on

YouTube Intricate footwork Movement from upper body or arms is

limited Upper body straight and unmoving, arms

hanging down on either side Fast, energetic steps Steps might involve step, hop, kick, jump

and cross their legs

Musical Characteristics

Both lively dances Reel = simple time 2/4, 4/4 or 2/2 Jig = compound time 6/8, 9/8, or 12/8 Both 2 in a bar feel Fast constant quaver movement with a few

longer or shorter notes thrown in (eg. crotchets, triplets and semiquavers)

Melodies often move in small intervals – lots of 2nds and 3rds

4ths and 5ths also used to give the music a traditional Irish feel

Music Characteristics ctd...

Light, bouncy feel to music (like the dance)

Binary (AB) form, each section lasting 4 8 bars. AABB is usually the overall form

Ornamentation of melody (usually added in by performer, not written in)

Simple harmony (usually tonic and dominant chords)

Major or minor (also modal and pentatonic pieces)

...ctd

Unaccompanied solo melody. Traditional jigs and reels are performed by a solo instrumentalist but there are also many ensembles that perform with an accompaniment

Instruments

Violin (fiddle) Flute Tin whistle Accordion Bodhran Uilleann pipes (similar to bagpipes but

much quieter)

Jig or reel?

Extract 1 Extract 2 Extract 3 Extract 4 Extract 5

Cooley’s Reel

Listen to Cooley’s Reel

Identify the features in the music which make it an Irish reel.