Jigs and Reels and Hornpipes, Oh My!

Highland fling

Starting two weeks of Celtic and related dances!

Definitions for some of the aong and dance types common to Celtic musical traditions.

jig
Any of various lively dances in triple time. The music for such a dance. Also called gigue.
Example: Morrison's Jig, The Irish Experience

reel
Any of various lively Scottish dances, such as the eightsome reel and foursome reel for a fixed number of couples who combine in square and circular formations. Music, other) a piece of music having eight quavers to the bar composed for or in the rhythm of this dance.
Example: Yester's Reel, Old Grey Goose

hornpipe
An old British solo dance to a hornpipe accompaniment, traditionally performed by sailors. A piece of music for such a dance
Example: Irish Hornpipe, Thomas Fraser

fling
A lively Scottish dance.
Example: Flings in a Row, Trianam

air
A simple tune for either vocal or instrumental performance.
Example: Hindeg (Welsh Air), Idlewild

waltz
A ballroom dance in triple time with a strong accent on the first beat. A piece of music for this dance. An instrumental or vocal composition in triple time.
Example: Genevieve's Waltz, Mithril

ballad
A narrative poem, often of folk origin and intended to be sung, consisting of simple stanzas and usually having a refrain. The music for such a poem.
Example: McLeod's Lament (I will go) , Paul Murray & David McKeown

march
A piece of music, usually in four beats to the bar, having a strongly accented rhythm
Example: Brian Boru's March, James Galway and Marisa Robles

round
A part song in which the voices follow each other at equal intervals at the same pitch.
Example: Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Kidztown Kids

fancy
Also called fantasy fantasia Music a composition for solo lute, keyboard, etc., current during the 16th and 17th centuries
Example: Rovers Fancy, The Irish Rovers

step dance
A dance in which emphasis is placed on certain steps, such as clogging or tapping, rather than body position or gesture.
Example: