Music Definitions
Ceili (dances & gatherings) (pronounced KAY-lee)
Ceili dances were derived from group set dances and French quadrilles, but were set to Irish music. They appear to have evolved with the help of the Irish dance masters, many from County Kerry. Nationalism, combined with the Handbook of Irish Dances published in 1902, led to standardisation of Ceili dances. Recording the descriptions of these dances occurred through the 1930s. For example, the Sweets of May and A Trip to the Cottage were discovered in South Armagh, being known only to a group of elderly men and women. Luckily, many ceili dances were recorded before being lost in history. Sometimes Ceili dancing is referred to as figure dancing.
A “ceili” is a gathering for music and dance. The Gaelic League sponsored the first Irish ceili in 1897. They borrowed the idea from the Scots and a precedent was set that a piper opened the ceili. Because the ceili dance revival was not widespread at that time, the dances at the first Irish ceili consisted of group set dances and French quadrilles!
Feis (pronounced “fesh”): A festival that includes figure (group) and solo step dancing, crafts, instrumental, vocal and Gaelic language competitions. The plural is feisanna. A competition with only dancing is sometimes called a feile, however, most dancing only competitions label themselves a feis.
Hornpipe: The hornpipe was originally danced exclusively by males in hard shoes, but now, both men and women compete. The hornpipe is in 4/4 time, reminiscent of a slow reel with accents on the first and third beat (ONE-and-a two-and-a three-and-a four-and-a). The apparent slowness of the music, allows for many intricate dance elements in a short amount of time. A notable feature is the frequent use of a rocking motion with the ankles.
Jig: There are many references to the jig in ancient Ireland. A number of variations of the jig are performed including the light, single (or soft), double (aka treble or hard), and slip jig. The music is 6/8 time (the emphasis on beats in a jig is: ONE-two-three four-five-six). Slip jigs are in 9/8 time (ONE-two-three four-five-six seven-eight-nine). Dancers perform single or soft jigs in soft shoes. Solo competitions occur at the level of beginners, advanced beginners, and at some feisanna, Open. Competitions at all levels also occur in the treble jig which has a slower tempo, but dancers triple beats in hard shoes. Normally, only women dance the slip jig, however, increasingly boys learn and dance the slip jig.
Reel: The reel originated around 1750 in Scotland and the Irish dance masters brought it to full development. The music is 4/4 time and it is danced at a relatively fast tempo (ONE-two-three-four). Both men and women dance the reel. For women, it is a light, rapid soft shoe dance that allows for plenty of leaping and demands an energetic performance from the dancer. Men often dance the reel in what appears to be hard shoes without the toe tap up front.
Slip Jig: Slip jigs are in 9/8 time (ONE-two-three four-five-six seven-eight-nine). The slip jig is danced in soft shoes and is the most graceful of Irish dances. It features light hopping, sliding, skipping and pointing.
Note for curious non-musicians: To tell whether a tune you’re listening to is a jig or a reel, let your foot tap along with the music at a natural pace, then see how many fast notes you count between each tap. If you can count to 3, it’s a jig. If you can count to 4, it’s a reel.
