Beats

Ruary laidlaw

Feb. 12, 2005, 11:45 p.m. (Message 40631)

A question for people who use computer software, preferably "Cool Edit"
to adjust the music on their laptop or computer to the correct tempo for
dancing.  How many beats - that is "spikes" on the graphic display - per
minute for a reel, a jig and a strathspey do you find are about right?
Three questions really.
Ruary.

45 Whitaker St
KIHIKIHI
New Zealand

Phone: 064-7-871-8396

Web: www.laidlaw.net.nz/reeltime/

"When you pull at a leaf you discover that the rest of Nature is
attached"

Jock McVlug

Feb. 16, 2005, 12:03 a.m. (Message 40684, in reply to message 40631)

For adjusting the speed in Cool Edit I use the 'resample' feature, but this
does not retain pitch. (I don't like what happens if you select the option
to retain pitch,... the music gets distorted)

For Reels and Jigs I like 112 beats per minute. With a 2 second silence at
the start and end, (and the chords) this translates to a 8X32 dance lasting
a total of 4:38 .

116 beats per minute will get you a 4:25,  110 beats per minute = 4:42   Any
slower than 110 and  it becomes increasingly difficult to to a decent pas de
basque.
Makes me feel like I'm dancing into the ground. I don't like the gravitation
towards a 5 minute 8X32 reel or jig which seems to be happening.

For Strathspey I like 63 beats per minute,... this translates into a 8X32
dance lasting 8:22  Some, such as Glasgow Highlanders are  faster (67 beats
per minute= slightly less than 8 minutes for 8X32)

My 2 cents worth on this subject.

Jack

Ruary laidlaw

Feb. 16, 2005, 6:37 a.m. (Message 40689, in reply to message 40684)

Jack, thanks very much for the information.  I shall pass it on to Bill
Jacob who will be grateful.
Ruary