I have noticed that everyone seems to be playing reels. Is is because of the speed? The rythm? I have found that I pretty much prefer slides and polka’s what about everyone else? What are your favorite types of tunes to play?
I think a beginner’s question is required here: What are the differences between jigs, reels, hornpipes, etc? I know that aires are the slow ones but that’s it 
The rhythm is the major difference, though I couldn’t tell you about the specifics.
Jigs and reels sound quite different, but I’ll be damned if I can tell the difference between a reel and a hornpipe unless someone tells me…
shrugs
I like zippy folk tunes like the Irish Rover etc. They are especially brilliant played alongside a mad fiddler and a demented guitarist. On a slightly different topic, has anybody got a harmony written down aginst the music for Irish Rover. I’ve been trying to perfect mine for years but its too much like th tune the fiddler carries if you know what I mean!
On 2002-02-17 16:43, avanutria wrote:
I think a beginner’s question is required here: What are the differences between jigs, reels, hornpipes, etc? I know that aires are the slow ones but that’s it >
The Sessioneer has the basic information you need.
Cheers,
David “always a sucker for slow airs” de la Barre
[ This Message was edited by: Feadan on 2002-02-17 17:48 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Feadan on 2002-02-17 17:37 ]
Airs..Love em
Dan
Slow airs. I can play those.
I like some dance tunes, but too many of them at once just kind of run into each other, whether I’m listening or playing.
I tend to prefer playing O’Carolan tunes. Also other airs on the low whistle.
Charlie
Being still in the situation of a mere beginner (2 years) I prefer hornpipes. The rhythm ist easy to catch. A few months ago I started to feel quite at home with jigs. It took me some time to get the jig-feeling. Right now I start to catch the reel-drive, but still not enough to feel really at easy when playing one. Has anybody else made the same experience? I didn’t mention airs or polkas or mazurkas, they slip in somewhere inbetween.
Reels and more reels as well as hornpipes and a few Jigs on my concertina, but so far slow airs only on my whistle!
Wow, I think I must be one of the few people on this board who doesn't really enjoy playing airs. I much prefer the faster dance music. (I'd play more O'Carolan, but my favorite tunes by the man were never meant to be played on a whistle!)
As for all time favorite song types, I'm definitely a slip jig fan above all else;-)
~Firefly
Currently, my favorite types of tunes are hornpipes and slip jigs. I find the dotted rhythm of a hornpipe easier to handle than a really fast reel. In fact, this is a good way to learn reels: play them first as a hornpipe, then switch over to reel rhythm when you have the hang of the tune. Some people I have heard tend to play reels sort of dotted anyway , which gives the tune a bit of a rhythmic bite
On 2002-02-18 00:41, Firefly wrote:
Wow, I think I must be one of the few people on this board who doesn't really enjoy playing airs.
Maybe one of the few, but you’re not alone. I don’t care for listening to airs and can’t play them well. Give me a jig any time. Polkas and reels too, but jigs first of all.
I do like playing slower music on the hammered dulcimer which has a fair amount of sustain and is more suited for slow stuff than the whistle, in my opinion.
Steve
In my (limited) experience Irish sessions played for tourists (like me) reels predominate because of their speed (though they can be played slower). Jigs are played as a change of pace (or time signature), and everything else comes a poor third.
For myself, I started on Slow Airs on the whistle, with a good CD/Book as tutor. Plenty of feeling can be put in, and ornamentation practise is easier too.
I didn’t think I liked Jigs, until I learnt Tripping Up The Stairs and Haste to the Wedding.
I didn’t think I liked Reels until I learnt The Skylark and St Anne’s Reel.
I didn’t think I liked polkas until …
etc.