Hey guys -
Was wondering what the definition of a planxty is. Does it have a certain speed, a certain time? Please phrase your answer in terms that someone just beginning music theory might understand. 
I know how to play one planxty (Dale Wisely) and I am fiddling with composing so I am wondering what makes a planxty a planxty as opposed to, say, an air or a waltz.
A Planxty is a tune dedicated to or composed in honour of a person. There are no real clues to where the word Planxty comes from, the general guess is that it was derived from ‘Slainte’ which means ‘a health to..’ Planxtys can have different forms although originally they often had words to them, singing the praise of the patron in whose honour they wer composed. Carolan made a living out of putting them together.
On 2002-10-15 02:52, Peter Laban wrote:
A Planxty is a tune dedicated to or composed in honour of a person. There are no real clues to where the word Planxty comes from, the general guess is that it was derived from ‘Slainte’ which means ‘a health to..’ Planxtys can have different forms although originally they often had words to them, singing the praise of the patron in whose honour they wer composed. Carolan made a living out of putting them together.
Peter, I’ve heard it said that ‘planxty’ might be a corruption of ‘thanks to’. Whoever said it wasn’t talking with any authority, that’s for sure.
Quite possible, my impression always was they really don’t know for sure.