It's about GOOD accompaniment...... NOT about complexity! 😉
Session-Ready Patterns
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Setting the Tempo
Nearly all Celtic tune forms exhibit a pulse of two beats per measure. Pulse is how we FEEL the music.
Even though a 4|4 reel has four beats in a measure, the pulse of a reel feels like two beats. In a 4|4 reel that’s beats 1 and 3.
Even though a 6|8 jig has eight beats in a measure, the pulse of a jig feels like two beats. In a 6|8 jig that’s beats 1 and 4.
When learning a sticking pattern it is helpful to know the standard pattern of beats. For a reel that's eight beats: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. For a Jig that's six beats taken as two groups of three: 1 2 3....4 5 6.
To learn the sticking patterns at tempos usually found in sessions, set the metronome to the PULSE, not the actual beat count prescribed by the time signature.
Tempo Ranges for Types of Tunes
Type of Tune
Reel
Jig
Hornpipe
Polka
Pulses per Minute
110 to 120
130 to 135
100 to 110
140 to 150
Pulses per Minute IS the metronome setting
