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Leaving Cert Music: Dance tunes: types & rhythms

How often Dance tunes: types & rhythms comes up on the Music papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

OL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Dance tunes: types & rhythms, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Dance tunes: types & rhythms.

(a)A slip jig is in which time signature?
  1. 6/8
  2. 9/8
  3. 3/4
(b)What is the usual form of an Irish dance tune?
  1. Through-composed
  2. ABA, each part 12 bars
  3. AABB, each part 8 bars
(c)What rhythm feature separates a hornpipe from a reel?
  1. A dotted, swung rhythm
  2. Free rhythm with no beat
  3. Groups of three quavers
Show the answers

(a) 9/8

(b) AABB, each part 8 bars

(c) A dotted, swung rhythm

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Dance tunes: types & rhythms.

Higher Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q5A, Q5Biv
2024Q5A, Q5Biv
2023Q5A
2022Q5A, Q5Biv
2021Q5A
2019Q5A, Q5Biii
2018Q5A
2017Q5A
2016Q5A, Q5Bii

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Dance tunes: types & rhythms questions

Dance tunes: types & rhythms, 2 marks

How are dance tunes usually played in a session or on a recording?

  1. One tune only, played once through and stopped
  2. One tune of each type, played in strict turn
  3. In sets of two or three tunes of the same type
Show the answer

In sets of two or three tunes of the same type

Musicians join tunes of the same type, e.g. three reels, into a set, playing each one two or three times before moving on to the next.

Dance tunes: types & rhythms, 3 marks

The mazurka, played in Donegal, is in which time?

  1. 2/4
  2. 3/4
  3. 6/8
Show the answer

3/4

The mazurka came from Poland via 19th-century ballroom dancing. Donegal players adopted it; it is in triple time, often with accents on the 2nd or 3rd beat.

Dance tunes: types & rhythms, 3 marks

The highland, popular in Donegal, is related to which Scottish tune type?

  1. Strathspey
  2. Slip jig
  3. Polka
Show the answer

Strathspey

Highlands are 4/4 tunes with a dotted, snappy rhythm related to the Scottish strathspey, reflecting Donegal's close links with Scotland.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q5
2024Q5
2023Q5
2022Q5
2021Q5
2019Q5
2018Q5
2017Q5
2016Q5

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Dance tunes: types & rhythms questions

Dance tunes: types & rhythms, 2 marks

What is the usual time signature of a reel?

  1. 6/8
  2. 9/8
  3. 4/4
Show the answer

4/4

A reel is in 4/4 (or 2/2) with smooth, running quavers. It is the most common Irish dance tune.

Dance tunes: types & rhythms, 2 marks

What is the time signature of a double jig?

  1. 3/4
  2. 6/8
  3. 4/4
Show the answer

6/8

A double jig is in 6/8: two beats in a bar, each split into three quavers, giving a lilting, skipping feel.

Dance tunes: types & rhythms, 2 marks

What is the time signature of a slip jig?

  1. 9/8
  2. 6/8
  3. 2/4
Show the answer

9/8

A slip jig has three beats in a bar, each a group of three quavers, so it is written in 9/8.

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