In SCD the most common types of tunes used for dancing are: reel, strathspey and jig. Let's look at each of these in turn.
The reel has melodies that are even in rhythm and played at a lively tempo.
The strathspey is unique to Scotland, probably originating from the Spey valley area. Originally the pace was pretty fast, but nowadays it is slower. There can be a level of emotional involvement in the strathspey and the slow strathspey has become a unique musical format.
The jig plays a considerable part in the range of modern Scottish dance music. They are fairly brisk tunes in either 6/8 or 9/8 time.
To hear the difference between a reel and a jig, try clapping to the beat. The reel has a regular, metronomic rhythm, while for a jig you will find yourself clapping like a sea lion!
Radio Scotland's programme "Take the Floor", which you can download at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/ , will let you hear the types of music mentioned above. Our Home Page has a link to "Take the Floor".
Traditional melodies are generally put together with an A part and a B part. To produce 32 bars of music, the A and B parts are repeated ABAB. Other arrangements, e.g. AABB are also found.
Music for Scottish country dancing should be played at a consistent tempo throughout a dance. The ideal tempo for dancing is one that allows for easy movement and execution of the steps, good phrasing and poise.
When learning steps and formations, the music is slowed down as a rule to allow the dancers to concentrate on co-ordination and/or geography.
Phrasing is the fitting of the steps to the musical phrase so that each formation begins and ends with the music. Good phrasing is hard to pull off unless the dancer pays attention to the music.
From: “A Guide to Music in the Teaching of Scottish Country Dancing” by Muriel A Johnstone (published by RSCDS, Edinburgh)
The reel has melodies that are even in rhythm and played at a lively tempo.
The strathspey is unique to Scotland, probably originating from the Spey valley area. Originally the pace was pretty fast, but nowadays it is slower. There can be a level of emotional involvement in the strathspey and the slow strathspey has become a unique musical format.
The jig plays a considerable part in the range of modern Scottish dance music. They are fairly brisk tunes in either 6/8 or 9/8 time.
To hear the difference between a reel and a jig, try clapping to the beat. The reel has a regular, metronomic rhythm, while for a jig you will find yourself clapping like a sea lion!
Radio Scotland's programme "Take the Floor", which you can download at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/ , will let you hear the types of music mentioned above. Our Home Page has a link to "Take the Floor".
Traditional melodies are generally put together with an A part and a B part. To produce 32 bars of music, the A and B parts are repeated ABAB. Other arrangements, e.g. AABB are also found.
Music for Scottish country dancing should be played at a consistent tempo throughout a dance. The ideal tempo for dancing is one that allows for easy movement and execution of the steps, good phrasing and poise.
When learning steps and formations, the music is slowed down as a rule to allow the dancers to concentrate on co-ordination and/or geography.
Phrasing is the fitting of the steps to the musical phrase so that each formation begins and ends with the music. Good phrasing is hard to pull off unless the dancer pays attention to the music.
From: “A Guide to Music in the Teaching of Scottish Country Dancing” by Muriel A Johnstone (published by RSCDS, Edinburgh)