Yep... Someone related a story that upon hearing a specific fiddle tune someone said.."Hey THAT is the tune we dance the VIrginia Reel to...".. Is there such a tune just designed for the Virginia Reel dance?
Edited by - TuneWeaver on 10/01/2023 13:46:50
Hmm well there is a tune literally named “the Virginia Reel” …
But there is a thread on the Session which makes it seem like it could be danced to a lot of the popular tunes?
thesession.org/discussions/26211
quote:
Originally posted by NCnotesHmm well there is a tune literally named “the Virginia Reel” …
But there is a thread on the Session which makes it seem like it could be danced to a lot of the popular tunes?
thesession.org/discussions/26211
That is my initial reaction.. Several tunes may work..
It is my understanding that as long as the tune has 16 bars, then a Virginia Reel can be danced to it. ceilidhdanceband.scot/how-to-d...nia-reel/
Well, THAT may have been the tune they danced the Virginia Reel to, but that doesn't mean its the only one that can be used.
Now, what tune do you play for the "Virginia Jig?"
You can literally use ANY tune for the Virginia Reel. It is not dependent on the standard AABB 32/64 beat tune (however you count the square ones).
Basically, every single couple takes turn swinging their way through every couple in the set and then the round ends with every couple swinging individually until the tune starts again. The number of times through a tune depends on how long the line of dancers is/how many couples are in the line.
Edited by - ChickenMan on 10/01/2023 18:38:24
The Virginia Reel is a type of dance identified by the movements that the dancers make. It's a form of English dance that goes back to the 17th century. It was quite popular in colonial America and remained so after the war and well into the late 1800s. Any tune that would fit with the music can be used.
Edited by - The Violin Beautiful on 10/01/2023 18:51:52
In Cole's, I believe, the Virginia Reel dance is described below Lord MacDonalds, which is basically Leather Britches.
A contradance band I played with many years ago used to always play, if I remember correctly, 'The Swallowtail Jig' followed by 'The Old Grey Mare' on the march.
I only just learned an Irish reel in D called 'The Virginia' (possibly the tune mentioned by NCNotes?).
Edited by - JonD on 10/01/2023 20:21:40
We've played a dance for two decades that has a Virginia Reel. We usually play a couple of tunes during that dance, mostly "chestnuts" or "evergreens" as they are called. This year they had over 170 dancers so it runs for a while.
quote:
Originally posted by RobBobWe've played a dance for two decades that has a Virginia Reel. We usually play a couple of tunes during that dance, mostly "chestnuts" or "evergreens" as they are called. This year they had over 170 dancers so it runs for a while.
"Chestnut" is another interesting one, because it is both a style of English dance and a 17th century English fiddle tune.
quote:
Originally posted by The Violin Beautifulquote:
Originally posted by RobBobWe've played a dance for two decades that has a Virginia Reel. We usually play a couple of tunes during that dance, mostly "chestnuts" or "evergreens" as they are called. This year they had over 170 dancers so it runs for a while.
"Chestnut" is another interesting one, because it is both a style of English dance and a 17th century English fiddle tune.
Something learned! Thanks.
It looks like a really fun dance to do...
and I can't even imagine how many repeats for 170 dancers/80+ couples!!!
Usually that many dancers would be split into several, shorter lines (maybe 6 in a gym), but its still a workout for the musicians.
I once played "The Joys of Quebec" for 45 minutes while a large group of dancers went through the entire square dance. I got so sick of this tune that at about halfway through I played it an octave lower just to change it up some. To handle the monotony, I would play it high once and low the next time. Everyone enjoyed the Virginia Reel, but I think I was traumatized from it! lol..... Rarely do I play this tune anymore. I guess I had my fill.
quote:
Originally posted by wilfordI once played "The Joys of Quebec" for 45 minutes while a large group of dancers went through the entire square dance. I got so sick of this tune that at about halfway through I played it an octave lower just to change it up some. To handle the monotony, I would play it high once and low the next time. Everyone enjoyed the Virginia Reel, but I think I was traumatized from it! lol..... Rarely do I play this tune anymore. I guess I had my fill.
Pete Sutherland (rip) once said to me, "You know, playing for a contra dance can make a grown man cry.".. He musta been playing with you Wilford..
We used to play 3 tunes as a set to avoid the monotony: Turkey in the Straw, Arkansas Traveller and Old Joe Clarke. We called it the American set because of the name and because we mostly played Irish stuff....
quote:
Originally posted by The Violin Beautifulquote:
Originally posted by RobBobWe've played a dance for two decades that has a Virginia Reel. We usually play a couple of tunes during that dance, mostly "chestnuts" or "evergreens" as they are called. This year they had over 170 dancers so it runs for a while.
"Chestnut" is another interesting one, because it is both a style of English dance and a 17th century English fiddle tune.
I play old time and a chestnut is either a nut or an oldie everyone knows.
quote:
Originally posted by DougDUsually that many dancers would be split into several, shorter lines (maybe 6 in a gym), but its still a workout for the musicians.
We played a dance a few weeks ago with a caller we used to like. He let every dance run for ten minutes even though everyone had been thru the line 1 time +. It made his night easier. Good callers can be hard to find.
quote:
Originally posted by pete_fiddlequote:
Originally posted by The Violin Beautifulquote:
Originally posted by RobBobWe've played a dance for two decades that has a Virginia Reel. We usually play a couple of tunes during that dance, mostly "chestnuts" or "evergreens" as they are called. This year they had over 170 dancers so it runs for a while.
"Chestnut" is another interesting one, because it is both a style of English dance and a 17th century English fiddle tune.
Something learned! Thanks.
Glad to be of service! I know about this one from hearing the tune every year on my favorite Christmas album. I was on my home from work one day when I met a recorder player in the metro station who happened to be playing that tune. We chatted for a while and he told me he played contra dances and explained that there was also a dance with the same name as the tune.
quote:
Originally posted by buckhenryWe used to play 3 tunes as a set to avoid the monotony: Turkey in the Straw, Arkansas Traveller and Old Joe Clarke. We called it the American set because of the name and because we mostly played Irish stuff....
This is a bucket list for me. With or without bass but my dream would be: 2 fiddles, 1 guit, 1 banjo, 1 bass and maybe, just maybe a mandolin...but to play this exact collection of tunes. Buck, have any recordings of this outfit?
Henry - I would play those three tunes in different keys G,D, and A. Did you just stuff them into one key? And if you changed, did you modulate in some way, or just plunge ahead?
I think key changes may be common in Irish medleys, but not so much in American music.
different keys G,D, and A...... We played in those keys also, and we plunge straight in, no special modulation needed because the keys are closely related, and adds a dynamic lift.
What we know as the Virginia Reel is a variant of the English dance, Sir Roger de Coverley. The tune of the same name (a jig) goes with the dance. However, any lively jig will suffice! Dickens describes this in A Christmas Carol in Fezziwig's Dance party.
Because the sets for the Virginia Reel are more than 3 couples, the standard 32 bar jig/reel is no longer relevant. With 3 couples, the phrase of the tune directs the dance. With more than 3 couples, the phrase of the tune is irrelevant. It is the beat that matters. So, almost any 32 bar tune, jig or reel, will suffice, and it is play ad infinitum!
I have played for Virginia Reel dances that lasted more than 20 minutes! It was grueling, but at the same time invigorating. Each tune change/ key change elicited an excited "whoop" from the dancers.
When I was in Cape Breton a few weeks ago, the dances were a variation of the Lancers - Figures 1,2 and 3. The sets were not limited and they grew in size. The fiddler (who was absolutely amazing!!!) just played until the dancers "finished". Each figure lasted 10-12 minutes - minimum. Figures 1 and 2 were 6/8s (jigs). Figure 3 was a reel. Tunes were played 2or3 times through and then changed. Key changes included!
For those who play for Virginia Reels, take heart in this Mark Twain observation:
"We consider that any man who can fiddle all through one of those Virginia Reels without losing his grip may be depended upon in any kind of musical emergency."
Yes, I can be depended upon! ... and so can you!
quote:
Originally posted by FiddlerWhat we know as the Virginia Reel is a variant of the English dance, Sir Roger de Coverley. The tune of the same name (a jig) goes with the dance. However, any lively jig will suffice! Dickens describes this in A Christmas Carol in Fezziwig's Dance party.
Because the sets for the Virginia Reel are more than 3 couples, the standard 32 bar jig/reel is no longer relevant. With 3 couples, the phrase of the tune directs the dance. With more than 3 couples, the phrase of the tune is irrelevant. It is the beat that matters. So, almost any 32 bar tune, jig or reel, will suffice, and it is play ad infinitum!I have played for Virginia Reel dances that lasted more than 20 minutes! It was grueling, but at the same time invigorating. Each tune change/ key change elicited an excited "whoop" from the dancers.
When I was in Cape Breton a few weeks ago, the dances were a variation of the Lancers - Figures 1,2 and 3. The sets were not limited and they grew in size. The fiddler (who was absolutely amazing!!!) just played until the dancers "finished". Each figure lasted 10-12 minutes - minimum. Figures 1 and 2 were 6/8s (jigs). Figure 3 was a reel. Tunes were played 2or3 times through and then changed. Key changes included!
For those who play for Virginia Reels, take heart in this Mark Twain observation:
"We consider that any man who can fiddle all through one of those Virginia Reels without losing his grip may be depended upon in any kind of musical emergency."Yes, I can be depended upon! ... and so can you!
Accounts of origins seem to differ, although it seems clear that the Sir Roger de Coverley is a relative of the Virginia reel. The latter is considered an English dance, but its origins are believed to be either a Scottish highland reel or an even earlier Irish form. Some sources say the same of the Roger de Coverley, but others claim that they're only similar, not the same. I've seen several sources that say that the Virginia Reel was developed from the form of the Roger de Coverley. What's interesting to me is that I've read that the latter was considered a "finishing dance" to be played at the end of a dance and that it was supposed to resemble the movements of a fox.
Lots of speculation. That's all we can do. The third figure if Lancer' is also similar to V.R./Sir Roger. VR is also a proper dance - meaning gents on one side and ladies on the other. This was common of early English dances.
Folk traditions morph over time to accommodate the latest fashions. If we were to look back to VR 100 years ago, would likely find that it differs from what we see today.
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