Irish Jig and Reel

Overview

Folk dances in Ireland were all originally social dances, performed in groups. Today, these dances are known as ceili dances. A ceili is a social gathering with dance and music.

From the 18th century onwards, Irish folk dance was developed by professional dancers, who created step dance. This is a solo type of dance that focuses on fast footwork. It was greatly popularised in the 1990s by the Riverdance show.

A number of different dances come under the heading of step dance, such as the jig, reel, polka and hornpipe. They are all accompanied by traditional Irish music.

Place of origin

Ireland

Venues

Ceilis, festivals and parades, dance competitions. 

Dance Steps

Dancers keep their upper body straight and stuff, with their arms by their sides. step dance can be danced solo, or as a line dance. all of the focus is on the footwork; steps are fast and energetic, with frequent kicks and jumps. 

Key Features

The main difference between the traditional Irish dances is the metre:

  • The jig is in compound time (6/8, 9/8 or 12/8).
  • The reel is in simple time (2/4, 4/4 or 2/2).
  • The hornpipe is in simple time (2/4 or 4/4) and has dotted rhythms.
  • The slip jig is in 9/8.
  • Jigs and reels have a fast tempo.
  • The melodies are nearly always made up of constant quaver movement.
  • Melodies are often made up from small intervals: 4ths and 5ths in particular give the music its Irish feel.
  • Melodies usually have regular 4-bar phrases.
  • They are ornamented by the performer, with the addition of grace notes and triplets.
  • Traditional jigs and reels are often in binary form in which each section is repeated (AABB).
  • Traditional jigs and reels are played by a solo instrument.
  • Fiddle (violin), tin whistle, flute, accordion, bodhran (drum), uilleann pipes (similar to bagpipes but quieter).

 

Test Yourself

  • Which of the following dances are in a simple metre and which is in a compound metre?
    • Hornpipe
    • Jig
    • Reel
  • Name three instruments that might perform a traditional Irish jig or reel.
  • Describe the main features of the dancing style known as step dance.
  • What structure do jigs and reels often use?
  • Traditionally jigs and reels are performed unaccompanied. What is the name for this type of texture? 

Tom McElvogue’s (Jig) and New Irish Barndance (Reel) by Niall Keegan 

Listen out for:

  • The unaccompanied melody (played on the Irish flute) in 4-bar phrases.
  • The compound metre (6/8) of the jig.
  • The simple metre (4/4) of the reel.
  • The constant quaver movement (particularly in the jig).
  • The frequent use of ornamentation.