Trying to explain the difference between a jig, reel and hornpipe.
Ok, im trying to explain the difference in timing between some different dance tunes. Its aimed at someone who doesn’t play and instrument and who doesn’t really know the difference between a jig and a reel. Now i didn’t get into the whole technical notation aspect of it, its not that important. i was just concentrating on timing. Do the following make sense to you? I would particualry like some advice on trying to explain a hornpipe.
Reels
This is the most common type of dance tune played in Irish traditional music, originally heavily influenced by similar dances in Scotland. Usually it consists of two or more parts which are played twice. Each part up of eight segments known as bars, and the time signature is 4/4. This means that there are four beats to every bar (each beat is counted in even measure as 1-2-3-4 I 1-2-3-4).
Jigs
The jig (or double jig) is another common type of dance of English origin. Like the reel, the tune usually consists of two parts made of eight bars, but the time signature is 6/8. This means that there are six beats to every bar (each beat is counted in groups of three as 123-456 I 123-456).
Hornpipes
Hornpipes are dance tunes that appear to have originated in the maritime tradition. The most common type of hornpipe is similar to the reel in terms of time signature (4/4), but instead of counting four even beats per bar there is an emphasis on the first and third beats, which give the tune a kind of ‘swing’ or ‘bounce’ feel ( each beat is counted as 1-2-3-4 I 1-2-3-4*).
*I was trying to make the 1 and 3 bold and slightly larger to emphasise them but can’t do it on this site.