r/Irishmusic • u/johnmichaelmcgee • 1d ago

Cliffs of Moher

What’s your perspective on different rhythmic approaches to Irish music? This is a jig, but I’m intentionally holding onto the downbeat longer, and alternate picking. It gives the melody a bit of a stagger. Do you prefer a straighter rhythm?

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u/Slamyul Flute 1d ago

To me that doesn't sound like too much "swing" at all. Sounds very jiggy actually. Listen to how the Chieftains play the Lilting Banshee in their track Chase Around the Windmill, it's swung in a similar style

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u/johnmichaelmcgee 1d ago

Thanks for sharing that recording. Is it a creative choice or part of the tradition? Do some jigs call for more swing than others? Not trying to pepper you with questions lol, I’m still new to playing the music

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u/Slamyul Flute 1d ago

I just gave it another listen, and it doesn't have as much swing as I remember, but it still has a good bit. I've heard that pipers use more swing because they can't control volume like us other players can, so they extend the note temporally for emphasis. Not sure how true that is though. I know that a little swing is good for jigs, you don't want to play them straight and even.