Tune Example: Hornpipes
Hornpipes
Tunes in 4/4. There are also some types of hornpipe in 3/2 (see the 3/2 hornpipes section below).
This type of tune has a long history in England. It is named after an early wind instrument of the same name and the hornpipe as a dance has been known in England since the 15th century. It was originally a hard soled solo dance (The Sailor’s Hornpipe being the most well known version of this today), which then also evolved into group social dances over time.
The hornpipe also has some similarities to the reel (also in 4/4, see below), but they are usually played with a ‘swung’ feel. In ceilidhs, they traditionally have a strong offbeat emphasis, which encourages the dancers to dance with energy on the hop part of the ‘step hop’ dance step used.
Used for dances such as:
- The ceilidh dance Nottingham Swing
- The border morris dance Upton on Severn
- The clog dance Sam Sherry’s Hornpipe
Some examples of hornpipes:
- The Sportsman’s Hornpipe
- The Sheffield Hornpipe
Below, you can find an audio recording of The Evercreech Hornpipe, performed by John Kirkpatrick.
Media
Audio:
