The Hornpipe

The hornpipe was a reed instrument often played on boats to provide music for dancing for the sailors, to give them much needed exercise. Later the music developed to accompany the sword dance, step dance and exhibition dances.

There are three types of hornpipe and they are associated with particular dances.

The Newcastle hornpipe was developed originally to play for clog dancers with their heavy shoes. It uses cross bowings, is at a moderate pace and sounds very smooth.

The Sailor’s hornpipe uses almost identical bowing styles and pace to Scottish reels.

The Sand Dance hornpipe has very clear note articulation and is generally played very quietly so one can hear the movement of the feet on the sanded stage.

More information on the dances and examples of tunes to illustrate them can be found in “Traditional Scottish Fiddling” by Christine Martin and in the “Ceilidh Collection for Fiddlers” series of four books.