Ah, the Irish jig! It’s not just a dance or a melody, it’s a feast for the feet and a marathon for the ears. With its peppy rhythms, the jig is a song and also a type of sanse music characterized by a fast, upbeat cadence, often in 6/8 time, which gives it a distinctive, catchy sway. A classic of Irish music sessions in Irish pubs, the jig is certainly a classic in Ireland! A look back at this typical musical style.
Let’s go back in time. The Irish jig is not new. She has travelled the ages, weaving her way through Irish history.
However, the origins of this musical style, like many aspects of traditional music, are somewhat mysterious and intertwined with the cultural history of Ireland and Europe.
That’s why the term “jig” itself probably comes from the French word “gigue” or the Italian “giga”, referring to dance and music forms in vogue in Europe in the 16th century.
Also, although the jig is strongly associated with Irish culture, it has been influenced by various European music and dance styles over the centuries. Cultural exchanges, particularly with Great Britain and continental Europe, have shaped the form and style of Irish jig over time.
In Ireland, however, the jig has taken on a distinct form, adapting to local instruments and dance styles. Over the years, it has become an integral part of traditional Irish music, played at parties, pubs and cultural gatherings.
Like any musical style in its own right, jigging has some easy-to-identify markers. Starting with its rhythm: the rhythm of the jig is 6/8, but make no mistake, it’s not a mathematical formula!
Rather, it’s the secret recipe for turning ordinary feet into dancing machines.
Add to that traditional Irish instruments: a fiddle, a tin whistle, maybe an accordion, and you’ve got the magic potion for a successful evening!
The jig corresponds not only to music, but also to a specific dance style. The dancers twirl, jump, spin – it’s a sport in its own right. If you’re looking to burn calories and have fun at the same time, forget the gym and join a jigging session!
