The reel is a term used to describe a traditional Irish dance and the music that accompanies it. Very famous in Ireland, the reel quickly triggers ants in the feet, impossible to repress! In general, the Reel is very present at Irish parties, folk dances and crazy music sessions in pubs!
Irish dancers – © paula sierra
Whether in pubs or on the street, the Reel is above all a popular dance and music, played on all occasions and in all places. With a clearly defined structure, it is written in 4/4 or 2/2 time, and consists of a trill movement with an accent on the first and third beats.
Each musical phrase is played over eight bars, and is based on a question/answer dynamic. In this way, phrase A “questions”, while phrase B “answers”: a typical Irish folk dance game!
The instruments used are often drawn from the pure Irish tradition. Here you can hear the fiddle, uilleann pipe, tin whistle and bodhràn!
The reel is danced in pairs, and is organized in two rows, with men and women facing each other. Highly energetic, this dance calls for supple, fast and lively footwork.
Its difficulty makes it a highly respected discipline. Ireland even organizes reel competitions several times a year, where participants must redouble their efforts to surpass themselves and impress a jury that becomes more demanding every year.
Reel can be danced in ghillies (soft dance shoes) or hard shoes (hard dance shoes).
