Tune example: Reels
Tune example: Reel
Tunes in 4/4 time
In Scottish and Irish music, a reel is mainly made up of quavers (fast half beat notes) and many of these reels are popular in England. There are some reels in the English tradition, but they generally don’t have as many quavers, which means they can seem more similar to polkas or hornpipes.
Probably of Scottish origin, the word reel can also refer to a whole dance, or a particular weaving dance movement, as well as a tune. The term comes from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘hreol’ and the Suio-Gothic ‘rulla’, meaning ‘to whirl’. The first written reference to reels occurred in 1590, so they are very much part of the musical heritage of Britain and Ireland.
Reels are closely related to rants, a similar 4/4 tune that was popular in the north of England and danced with a ‘rant step’; a dance move with a strong emphasis on beat 1.
Used for dances such as:
- The ceilidh dance Cornish 6 Hand Reel
- The ceilidh dance Virgina Reel
- The clog dance Sam Sherry’s Reel
Some examples of reels:
- The Dorset Reel
- Duke of Cornwall’s Reel
- Morpeth Rant
Below, you can find an audio recording of a set of reels, including Henry Cave's Country Dance (pictured above), arranged and performed on concertina by Rob Harbron.
Media
Audio:
