music for dancing the hornpipe
An old english dance in a lively tempo written in triple and later also in quadruple time. [back
Country dance of British Isles, often in a lively triple meter; optional dance movement of solo and orchestral Baroque suite; a type of duple meter hornpipe remains popular in Irish traditional dance music.
The hornpipe was originally danced exclusively by males in hard shoes, but now, both men and women compete. The hornpipe is in 4/4 time, reminiscent of a slow reel with accents on the first and third beat (ONE-and-a two-and-a three-and-a four-and-a). The apparent slowness of the music, allows for many intricate dance elements in a short amount of time. A notable feature is the frequent use of a rocking motion with the ankles.
a simple wind instrument resembling an Irish tin whistle, but made of wood and horn. Also the lively sailor's dance or jig that went with tunes played on it.
The term hornpipe refers to one of several dance forms played and danced in Britain and elsewhere from the late 17th century until the present day.