strathspey@strathspey.org:45385

Alan Paterson

Reels and Hornpipes

May 26, 2006, 12:05 p.m. (Message 45385)

In the process of reexamining my music collection I am coming across 
tracks which I have noted as being Reels whereas something in me is 
trying to tell me - Hornpipe.

Is there a scientific method of identifying a Hornpipe?

My layman's opinion is that it has to do with the last of the 8 bars (or 
sometimes the 4th one) where, of the 4 beats of the 4/4 rhythm, the 
first two are crotchets and the third a minim (or crotchet then rest) 
with the second and third being the same note.

Help?

Alan (who's instruction in the theory of music ended some 35 years ago)