Rhythm Distribution

Of related interest:

This list ranks rhythms by their relative frequency among all the distinct tunes in the entire database (5,733 tunes).

This report can be interpreted as the distribution of tune types within Irish traditional music in general, but especially as it is represented in commercial recordings. The fact that I have also indexed a small number of tunes which are only represented in books, and a few which I play but which are not recorded or printed anywhere, also influences these statistics.

Compare Rhythm Distribution in Session Tunes which considers only the tunes currently played by at least one member. Compare also the distribution of tune types in recordings when all tune instances are considered, in the report Rhythm Distribution in Recordings.

RhythmNumber in
entire Tunography
Percentage
of total
Bar graph
Reel1,90633.2%bar
Double jig97417.0%bar
Song72412.6%bar
Hornpipe3946.9%bar
Polka3205.6%bar
Air2544.4%bar
Piece2003.5%bar
Slide1883.3%bar
Slip jig1442.5%bar
Waltz1332.3%bar
March1111.9%bar
Barn dance791.4%bar
Single jig631.1%bar
Highland510.9%bar
Fling500.9%bar
Set dance420.7%bar
Strathspey400.7%bar
Other220.4%bar
Mazurka190.3%bar
Schottisch130.2%bar
Single reel60.1%bar
Total5,733