Reels
The reel is a Scottish dance form that dates to the 16th century. The earliest discovered text making reference to a dance called "reel" is found in a witchcraft trial that took place in 1590. The person accused of witchcraft was said to have danced a "reill". The dance form is certainly much older. The reel probably dates to Medieval times. The reel dance form entered Ireland during the late 18th century.
Reels are notated in several different time signatures. All of these time signature are some multiple of two beats per measure. Time signatures of 4|4, 2|4, and 2|2 are common. Many who study the reel intensely argue that reels should be notated in 2|2 time. They believe that this meter most closely represents the pulse of a reel. A reel accents the 1st and 3rd beats of a measure counted in 4 beats. Reels usually have two contrasting parts called "A" and "B". The usual form of a reel is AABB. That is considered one pass sometimes called a "chorus" through the tune. Each A and B part usually contain eight measures of music.
The pulse of a reel is a cycle of eight beats with accents on beats, 1, 3, 5, and 7. Say the words "ordinary alligator" and you will feel the pulse of a reel.
The reel is the most popular form of Irish dance music. Most tunes played at sessions are reels. Tempos for reels at a session generally range between 90 to 130 BPM. A hot session might reach 140 BPM. Practice reels at tempos between 70 BPM and 100 BPM. Go slow. Be accurate .
For software that will slow the tempo without changing the pitch of the tune, visit this link. Change Tempo NOT Pitch
For a very detailed, informative discussion of rhythm in Irish dance music, visit these sites
Slow Players
Irish Tune Info
The reel is a Scottish dance form that dates to the 16th century. The earliest discovered text making reference to a dance called "reel" is found in a witchcraft trial that took place in 1590. The person accused of witchcraft was said to have danced a "reill". The dance form is certainly much older. The reel probably dates to Medieval times. The reel dance form entered Ireland during the late 18th century.
Reels are notated in several different time signatures. All of these time signature are some multiple of two beats per measure. Time signatures of 4|4, 2|4, and 2|2 are common. Many who study the reel intensely argue that reels should be notated in 2|2 time. They believe that this meter most closely represents the pulse of a reel. A reel accents the 1st and 3rd beats of a measure counted in 4 beats. Reels usually have two contrasting parts called "A" and "B". The usual form of a reel is AABB. That is considered one pass sometimes called a "chorus" through the tune. Each A and B part usually contain eight measures of music.
The pulse of a reel is a cycle of eight beats with accents on beats, 1, 3, 5, and 7. Say the words "ordinary alligator" and you will feel the pulse of a reel.
The reel is the most popular form of Irish dance music. Most tunes played at sessions are reels. Tempos for reels at a session generally range between 90 to 130 BPM. A hot session might reach 140 BPM. Practice reels at tempos between 70 BPM and 100 BPM. Go slow. Be accurate .
For software that will slow the tempo without changing the pitch of the tune, visit this link. Change Tempo NOT Pitch
For a very detailed, informative discussion of rhythm in Irish dance music, visit these sites
Slow Players
Irish Tune Info