What's a Reel?

[Gwaihir89]

Hello,

Does anyone know why they call Reels Reels and why they Call Horpipes Horpipes? Is this just a name or is there some reason for it. I kow that a Jig is in 6/8 and a Waltz is in 3/4, but what connection is there between these names. Are they just names? The reason why i want to know this is because i am writing a fiddle tune and i want to call it something like a Reel. Chris has written some Waltzes and Reels and performed Horpipes so i thought this would be the place to find out.

Later Days

[Red Zep]

Holy crap. I'm a drummer. I should know this... but I don't, so yes someone please inform!!

[transformed]

the terms 'reel' and 'hornpipe' both come from the type of dance associated with them. reels are in 4/4 or cut time (i've heard people say both; it's essentially the same thing...the speed and accent are something you'll pick up stylistically by listening to the music) and hornpipes are also in 4/4, but much slower. a hornpipe is supposedly the most complicated of these traditional dances, and the tunes have distinctive phrases and feel in them as well, which of course i'm not going to be able to reproduce in typing.
at any rate, to really write something that is truly a reel or a hornpipe, etc, you'll want to listen to the traditional music a lot.

if anyone has any additions or corrections for me...feel free.

[JeffLester]

Wikipedia is a good place to at least start for questions like this:
Reel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reel_%28dance%29)
Hornpipe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornpipe)
Jig (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jig)

[thedownsideband]

All I know is that all of NC's reels are sweet.