07/03/2018
Edel qualified as an Irish dancing teacher in 2011 with the An Comhdháil organisation after many years of competitive experience in Irish dancing. Irish dancing originated as a Celtic folk dance and became modernised with competition rules and shows such as Riverdance with influences from other dance styles.
The four basic types of modern day Irish music and associated dances are the jig, reel, hornpipe and the set dances. The jig has several variations including the single jig and slip jig. The slip jig is the most graceful of the Irish dances and features light hopping, sliding and skipping. Only women dance the slip jig. Jig music is 6/8 time; slip jigs are in 9/8 time.
The reel originated around 1750 in Scotland and the Irish dance masters brought it to its full development. Women and men both dance the reel. Women perform it as a light, rapid soft shoe dance that often includes leaping and always demands a high level of energy. Men usually dance the reel in hard shoes. Reel music is in 4/4 time and is usually danced to a fast tempo.The music accents the first beat.
The hornpipe also began in the mid 1700's and evolved from English stage acts. It was originally danced exclusively by men, but now, both men and women perform this dance.The hornpipe is in 4/4 time and is similar to a slow reel but has accents on the first and third beat.
Set dances are performed by individual dancers to a specific tune with each set dance having its own tune. Some of the tunes are more than 250 years old. Ceili (pronounced Kay-Le) dances are similar to the set dances, however these are performed by a group of dances. A "ceili" is Gaelic for a gathering for music and dance.
"Ceilí" seems to be the Irish version of "Forróbodó"!! Also most forró rhythms are in 2/4 or 4/4 time, similar to the Irish Reel and Hornpipe. Why not join the class and see what other similarities you can find!