-----Original Message----- From: Ian Brockbank <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 14:53:26 -0000 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [scots-l] Tempi
> Hi Nigel, et al, > > On the terminology side, SCDers do not make many distinctions at all. > The average SCDer is hard put to distinguish between a "reel" (simple time) > and a jig (6/8) - subtleties such as hornpipes are beyond them. In slow > time, it's just "strathspeys", even when they are slow airs or schottisches > (though they are always simple time - they can tell a waltz, although it's > not part of the standard repertoire). > > HTH, > > Ian I started dancing after playing this music for a number of years and was surprised to find that a lot of people couldn't tell the difference between a jig and a reel; it was obvious to me! I agree that in SCD the only real distinction many dancers make is between "fast" and "slow" dances; however since the steps don't really change between the fast dances, one is basically dancing the same dance whether it's a reel, hornpipe or jig so there's little reason for the average dancer to make any finer distinction (yes the timing is slightly different but I find a lot of dancers make the adjustment without realizing they're doing it). The other thing that I think contributes to this is that a lot of teachers don't have the luxury of live music in classes and have to rely on recorded music. When they teach they may end up using whatever they have on hand that has the right number of bars and repetitions; if we end up dancing a reel to jig music, or a strathspey to an air, oh w! ell! -Steve -- Steve Wyrick <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> -- Concord, California Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music & Culture List - To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
