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Description
Jig and reel are two of the most common dance-tune types in the Irish and Scottish traditional music repertoire. They are instrumental forms played for social dancing and session music, and they are defined primarily by their rhythms and phrase structures rather than by lyrics.
Reels are in duple time (commonly notated in 4/4), with continuous streams of quavers/eighth notes and a strong, driving forward motion. Jigs are in compound time (most commonly 6/8 for single/double jigs and 9/8 for slip jigs), creating a lilting, bouncing feel. Typical tune forms are two strains of eight bars each (AABB), repeated and often strung into medleys.
The core timbre is led by melody instruments such as fiddle, flute, tin whistle, uilleann pipes, accordion, and concertina, with accompaniment from guitar and bouzouki, and percussion from bodhrán. While rooted in the British Isles, jig and reel tunes have spread globally through diasporas and folk revivals, shaping the aesthetics of many fiddle traditions.
History
Jigs and reels emerged as distinct dance-tune categories within the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland. Written references to the “reel” appear in Scotland by the late 16th century, but the instrumental reel as we recognize it took popular shape in the 18th century. The “jig” has earlier linguistic roots (16th‑century English sources), yet the characteristic Irish/Scottish instrumental jig style crystallized during the 17th–18th centuries alongside evolving social dance forms.
Instrument design and technique—especially the violin/fiddle—helped standardize tune structures (typically AABB, 8 bars per strain) and favored keys and modes that resonated on open strings. Parallel developments among flute/whistle, pipes, and free-reed instruments widened the tonal palette, while regional dance customs shaped tempo and articulation.
The 19th century saw jigs and reels spread widely through oral tradition, printed collections, and dance masters. Regional fiddle styles—such as Sligo and Donegal in Ireland or Highland and Northeast in Scotland—cultivated different bowings, ornamentation, and tempos. Emigration carried the music to North America, where it seeded Cape Breton, Newfoundland, and Appalachian fiddle cultures.
Early recordings (c. 1900s–1930s), including influential immigrant fiddlers, helped codify repertory and style. Standard tune types (double jig in 6/8, slip jig in 9/8; reel in 4/4) and common forms (AABB) were firmly established, and session culture developed around sets of tunes grouped by compatible keys/modes.
The folk revival of the 1960s–1980s elevated jig and reel playing from local dance halls to concert stages. Touring ensembles, festivals, and recordings fostered virtuosity and ensemble arranging, while maintaining session traditions in pubs and community spaces. Bouzouki and guitar accompaniment became mainstays; studio production and cross-genre collaborations broadened the sound.
Today, jigs and reels remain cornerstones of sessions and dance events worldwide. They also underpin hybrid styles—from Celtic rock and punk to modern folk and acoustic fusion—demonstrating the enduring adaptability of these tune forms.
