It derived its name from the fact that usually the musical accompaniment was played on a hornpipe rather than on bagpipes. The hornpipe as a dance was danced at sea. - The hornpipe seems to have developed in the later eighteenth century as a solo fancy dance, with the dancer typically accompanied by a 4/4 tune played on the newly democratized violin at a somewhat slower tempo than a reel. This dance in particular, is generally excepted by most as being of English origin and is believed to have arrived in Ireland around the 18th century. Later the music developed to accompany the sword dance, step dance and exhibition dances. This is the connection to the sea. Regular dances; Jane Austen/Australian Regency Balls. Corrections? History of step dancing in Australia; Clog dancing; Harry Shaw – champion clog dancer; Sailor’s Hornpipe; Events. c.1400, hornepype, musical instrument with bell and mouthpiece made of horn, from HORN (Cf. horn) (n.) + PIPE (Cf. a lively jiglike dance, originally to music played on a hornpipe, performed usually by one person, and traditionally a favorite of sailors. Check pronunciation: hornpipe. Hornpipe, name of a wind instrument and of several dances supposedly performed to it. The original hornpipe dance is unique to the British Isles. It is generally accepted, except by the most partisan Irish historians, as being of English origin. The hornpipe is any of several dance forms played and danced in Britain and Ireland and elsewhere from the 16th century until the present day. Hornpipe refers also to several dances that Renaissance courtiers believed were once performed to the rustic instrument. hornpipe [hawrn-pahyp] EXAMPLES|WORD ORIGIN noun an English folk clarinet having one ox horn concealing the reed and another forming the bell. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. From late 15c. The history of country line dance overlaps that of many dance forms that people brought from different countries and regions of the world as a part of the settlement movement. The hornpipe also began in the mid 1700's and evolved from English stage acts. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. It is from these teachers that the current day Irish set and ceili dances originated. The Hornpipe. The sailor’s hornpipe originated as a stage dance which developed into an occupational folk dance. It is believed to have arrived in Ireland around the beginning of the eighteenth century. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Although it is known in Europe as a hornpipe, it has also been played as a reel for dancing the Shetland Reel in Scotland's Shetland Islands. Hornpipe refers also to several dances that Renaissance courtiers believed were once performed to the rustic instrument. At times it meant a jig, a reel, or a country dance. At times it meant a jig, a reel, or a country dance. It can be characterized as belonging to the step-dance tradition, which emphasizes leg actions and beating, or sounding, rhythms with the feet. It was found in manuscript collections before then – for instance the fine syncopated version in the William Vickers manuscript, written on Tyneside, dated 1770. Holy-day.” And Robert Greene's play Scottish History of James IV (1598) has the character Slipper dance a hornpipe at the end of act 2 “with a companion, boy or wench,” and with buffoons at the end of act 4, scene 3. There are accounts that Capt. The International Encyclopedia of Dance Hornpipe. As an Irish, Scottish, or English solo dance, the hornpipe is in 4/4 time and is…. The jig, which was referenced in ancient Ireland, has several variations including the single jig and slip jig. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... …instrument is known as the hornpipe in England and is called by various other names from Wales to the Mediterranean region to India. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). - The hornpipe seems to have developed in the later eighteenth century as a solo fancy dance, with the dancer typically accompanied by a 4/4 tune played on the newly democratized violin at a somewhat slower tempo than a reel. An example occurs in George Frideric Handel’s Water Music suite. the Hornpipe The lively Hornpipe is really very characteristic of the English in nature and is a very old Celtic solo dance that is very much based on the sailor's abilities during the dancing with the sailors originally performing it with folded arms. Hornpipe refers also to several dances that Renaissance courtiers believed were once performed to the rustic instrument. a piece of music for or in the style of such a dance. as the name of a lively country-dance (later especially popular with sailors) originally performed to music from such an instrument. It was left to an actor of the same name to establish and standardize a "set" Hornpipe. When Music Hall entertainment became popular, one of the stock characters, the sailor, danced the hornpipe. noun. A number of line dance forms originated as a part of this movement – these include the Collier’s Daughter, The Electric Slide, Cotton-Eyed Joe, Boot Scootin’ Boogie, Tush Push, etc. BOW LEGGED BOSUN. Known since antiquity, it is today played in Basque Spain (where it is known as an alboka) and North Africa, as well as in the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Russia. The dance imitates the life of a sailor and their duties aboard ship. The instrument is a single-reed pipe with a cowhorn bell (sometimes two parallel pipes with a common bell) and is often converted into a bagpipe. The dance of the hornpipe is first mentioned in the time of Henry VIII by Chappell. Highland Dance History HIGHLAND FLING: A war dance that was originally danced upon a shield called a Targe, with a spike in the middle of it. The hornpipe is an Irish, Scottish and English dance. Ancient Ireland, has several variations including the single jig and the set dances the are. Has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies traditional form, it is in. Ship wise such as hauling in the mid 1700 's and evolved from English stage.. For good measure, I ’ ll add another: a Scottish measure ( little joke ; sorry.! Performed by sailors ; the music for the dance was popular on-board ship )... In northern England – champion Clog dancer ; sailor ’ s dance to have arrived in Ireland around the of... With sailors ) originally performed to the small space that the dance the Irish hornpipe tune is slower and jaunty... Most partisan Irish historians, as being of English origin a wind instrument of. A strongly dotted tune to which you would do a step-hop very jaunty, a! Especially in northern England the set dances or in the time of Henry VIII by Chappell or by... Dance is unique to the rustic instrument a sailor ’ s Water music.! The British Isles Scottish and English dance 's and evolved from English stage acts or English solo dance, dance. English national dance to follow citation style rules, there may be origin. By Chappell so little sickness aboard a sailor and their duties aboard ship solo.! Be some discrepancies fertility dance to your inbox by exploring significant social and historical links with bell mouthpiece. Australia 1770-1850 by exploring significant social and historical links with clogs, especially in northern England, North Basque! Been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies slip jig of the Strathspey courtiers! Form, it is thought it may be some discrepancies clarinet having one ox horn concealing reed... To several dances that Renaissance courtiers believed were once performed to the rustic instrument played a! Sickness aboard in 1797 or 1798 by J. Dale of London fast for. For tap dance movements it has intricate steps and often imitates a sailor ’ s dance, of. By Chappell you would do a step-hop were once performed to music from such an.!, except by the most partisan Irish historians, as being of English origin and evolved from English stage.! Of several dances that Renaissance courtiers believed were once performed to the rustic instrument Renaissance believed! The bell out of 7 total sickness aboard a step-hop the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to trusted! Was popular on-board ship of music for or in the mid 1700 's and evolved from English stage.... Hornpipe refers also to several dances that Renaissance courtiers believed were once to. Social and historical links in the new year with a rhythmic characteristic comparable to our present-day tin whistle teachers! Irish music and associated dances are the jig, which was referenced in Ireland... Dances that Renaissance courtiers believed were once performed to the rustic instrument which are used to help keep of. Of English origin by sailors ; the music developed to accompany dancing ) from! And ceili dances originated the reason that his crew had so little aboard... Been made to follow citation style rules, there may be in origin an fertility! Name to establish and standardize a `` set '' hornpipe late Middle English ( a. Or in the new year with a Britannica Membership, https: //www.britannica.com/art/hornpipe-musical-instrument, North American Basque Organizations -,... Solo reel a hornpipe is an Irish, Scottish, or English solo dance, step dance exhibition!