strathspey@strathspey.org:1128

SMiskoe

Re: Reel or Hornpipe

March 1, 1995, 3 p.m. (Message 1128, in reply to message 1123)

Oh, My, this will generate a lot of discussion.  Reels and hornpipes can
often be interchanged but the 2 are definitely different.  Hornpipes do end
with a pom-pom-pom, and they can be slowed down and played in a dotted
rhythm.  As such they are used a schottische.  There are very few minor key
hornpipes.  Probably the best known is Rights of Man which doesn't really
lend itself to being played quickly as a reel.  Another one is Saratoga which
is half major and half minor and is a fantastic dance tune.  Another
characteristic of a hornpipe is that the the last 4 bars of the B music is an
echo of the A music, ie Rickets or Manchester.  This is one that can be
either played slowly and dotted or quickly as a reel.  And still another
characteristic of hornpipes is that the B music often changes chord patterns
in what is known in the jazz world as a 5 over 5.  Fisher's  and Highlevel
both do this in the 4th bar of the B music.  Hull's Victory does it there and
also at the end of the A music.  They are all bright snappy tunes, lots of
fun to play and to dance to.  Sylvia Miskoe