The Céilí!
Céilí Background
- In London 1897 the first Céilí was held.
- The Céilí was organised by the Gaelic League.
- The Gaelic League was an organisation, whose aim
was to restore the Irish Language.
- In the 1930’s house dances were outlawed in
Ireland and as a result dance halls were built instead.
- This lead to the growth of Céilí bands.
Céilí Bands.
- It is very important that the music of a Céilí
band is loud enough to be heard over the noise of the feet of the Céilí dancers.
- The music of Céilí bands today is hugely inspired by the Tara Céilí band.
- Usually a Céilí band consist of ten players.
- Some of the instruments in a Céilí band include:-
- Accordian, Concertina and Uillean Pipes in the
Reed Catergory.
- Bango and Fiddles- String Section
- Traditional Irish Flutes- Woodwind section
- Drum Kit and Piano – Percussion Section.
- In order to balance the sound whilst on stage,
the instruments that are louder are staged at the back.
- The quieter instruments are placed at the front
of the stage in order to help the dancers.
- All instruments play in unison and the harmony is
usually provided by the piano.
- Sometimes in Céilí bands piano players will use vamping.
- Vamping is pressing down on the keys of the piano harshly to keep the beat of the piece.
Irish Dancing!
Reels
The reel is the most popular type of dance tune played in
Irish traditional music. It is mostly influenced by similar dances in Scotland.
Typically it is made of two or more parts which are played twice. Both parts
are made up of eight bars, and the time signature is 4/4. This means that there
are four beats to every bar. Each beat is counted in even measure as 1-2-3-4 I 1-2-3-4. Say the words “COCA COLA” to try
and keep to the beat.
Jigs
The jig (or double jig) is another common type of dance,
originally from England. Similar to the reel, the tune usually consists of two
parts made of eight bars, but the time signature is 6/8. This means that there
are six beats to every bar (each beat is counted in groups of three as 123-456
I 123-456). Discover keeping the beat by saying “RASHER AND SAUSAGES”.
Hornpipes
Hornpipes are dance tunes that appear to have originated in
the maritime tradition. The most common type of hornpipe is similar to the reel
in terms of time signature 4/4, but instead of counting four even beats per bar
there is an emphasis on the first and third beats, which give the tune a kind
of ‘swing’ or ‘bounce’ feel ( each beat is counted as 1-2-3-4 I 1-2-3-4*). Try
keep to the beat by saying “HUMPTY DUMPTY”.
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