Types of Tunes in Celtic Music
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There are many different kinds of tunes in Celtic music, distinguished most often by rhythm, since the tunes are meant to be danced to. Each type of tune has a distinct feel which you should be able to bring out in your playing.

Jigs are dance tunes in rhythms based on threes. Single jigs, or slides, are normally notated in 12/8 time, and double jigs in 6/8. Slides are usually played a bit faster, but contain more quarter notes and less ornamention than double jigs, so they are often easier to play. Slip jigs and hop jigs are in 9/8, which is a strange rhythm until you get the hang of it - they're sort of like a waltz crossed with a normal jig. Slip jigs are thought by some to be the oldest dance tunes in Celtic music.

Reels are based on fours and are written in 4/4, or common time. They are most often played quite fast, though you sometimes hear them played at a slow to moderate pace. They have a steady, driving beat with a medium to strong accent at the beginning of each bar. Reels are thought to have been invented in Scotland in the mid-1700's, and after migrating to Ireland, have since become the most popular dance tunes in Celtic music.

Polkas are usually (though not always) notated in cut time, or 2/4, and have a rhythm similar to a horse's gallop. Polkas usually move faster than reels, but this is because they contain sixteenth notes; the music is actually played at a slower pace (i.e. fewer beats per minute). They are usually played with a light, fast rhythm with strong accents. Polkas (along with slides), are typically from Co. Kerry, Ireland.

Strathspeys are a uniquely Scottish phenomenon. They are usually in 4/4 time and are played at all different speeds, with a strong swing in the rhythm. Strathspeys make great use of a figure called the Scotch snap, which is a sixteenth note followed by a dotted eighth note. Typically strathspeys are played on either fiddle or highland bagpipe; they are not often played on tin whistle (but don't let that stop you!)

Hornpipes are moderately-paced tunes in 4/4 with a light, bouncy rhythm. They are perhaps the best example of tunes that are played with a lot of swing. Sometimes you will see hornpipes written with dotted notes in an attempt to convey the rhythm on paper, but this makes it hard to read, so more often they will be written straight.

Waltzes and set dances are usually played at a moderate speed.

Slow airs are tunes derived from old-style Gaelic singing. They are typically played slowly and with a free rhythm; that is, the tempo speeds up and slows down as the player feels appropriate.

I have omitted descriptions of other types of tunes including mazurkas, andros, pibrochs, set dances, etc.

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