Tune Example: 3/2 Hornpipes
3/2 Hornpipes
In 3/2 time (or sometimes historically notated as 6/4).
3/2 hornpipes have become very popular with English folk musicians in recent years.
Historically they have been more associated with northern England and pipe playing traditions, although they were played in other places too. They date as far back as the 17th century, where they were published in tune books with accompanying dances. However, they are not often used for dancing, as the kinds of dances that are popular at ceilidhs and with folk dance performance groups today often don’t fit the structures of a 3/2 hornpipe.
The pulse of a 3/2 hornpipe is counted in minims (two beat notes) which means they have long bars and there are only usually 4 bars per A or B section. In this way they are similar to slip jigs and sometimes 3/2s hornpipes have evolved into slip jigs and vice vera. Unlike 4/4 hornpipes, 3/2s are not usually played with a swung rhythm.
They are more often played in sessions and for listening music, but some dance callers and choreographers have begun writing new dances to a 3/2 rhythm. Sometimes 3/2 hornpipes are called ‘maggots’, which is a 17th century term meaning ‘whim’ or ‘fancy’.
Used for dances such as:
- The country dance Hare’s Maggot
- The country dance Jack’s Maggot
Some examples of 3/2 hornpipes:
- Dance to your Daddy
- If you will not have me you may let me go
- Mr Isaac’s Maggot
Below, you can find an audio recording of Rusty Gulley, an example of 3/2 hornpipe, performed on melodeon by Hazel Askew.
Media
Audio:
