The Kerry Dance (F Major)

While a song in it's own right, this is also an example of a 'Rinnce Fáda' or Irish long dance. This type of dance is a country dance, dating back to at least the sixteenth century.

Written in 6/8 metre, the predominant crotchet-quaver (quarter note-eighth note) rhythm has led to this sometimes being categorised as a 'single jig' as this is the fundamental characteristic of this type of Irish jig.

This song is great for:

• Teaching the melodic element 'fi' (sharpened 'fa').
• Teaching the rhythmic element 'tim-ka ti' (dotted quaver, semiquaver, quaver / dotted eighth note, sixteenth note, eighth note).
• Teaching melodic sequence (as seen in bars 17 and 18).
• Working with 6/8.
• Teaching Irish music - historical notes are included on the download.
• Singing, finding and identifying large intervals. Can your students spot the perfect octave, Major 6th and minor 6th?

This copy is in F Major. Some students may find the chords more accessible in this key if they are wanting to play this song. The Kerry Dance is also available in D Major which is an easier vocal range for many!