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| Site last updated . This particular page was created 16/11/2003 and last updated 28/08/2004 Site updates |
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Basic reel rhythm
The reel is usually notated in cut or in common time:
sometimes in 2/4 time with the 8th note as the beat:
Tempo and Feel
The reel is faster than the hornpipe - about 200 beats per minute - perhaps even faster if it's notated in 2/4 time.It's also played much smoother with less emphasis on the beat and only a slight hint of swing feel.
Rhythm patterns
Although the feel of a reel and a hornpipe is different, the basic strumming patterns are more or less the same. Most of the patterns from the basic rhythms section of this site can be used. The most relevant ones are:the bass note-chord pattern:
the "Drunken sailor" pattern:
and a combination of the two:
or 