Rhythm Distribution

Of related interest:
  • Rhythm Definitions: Comments on how I classify tunes according to rhythm.
  • Top Ten
  • Top 100 Tunes of the Century.

This list ranks rhythms by their relative frequency among all the distinct tunes in the entire database (4,860 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
Reel1,64933.9%bar
Double jig84017.3%bar
Song62812.9%bar
Hornpipe3316.8%bar
Polka2745.6%bar
Air2124.4%bar
Slide1653.4%bar
Piece1412.9%bar
Slip jig1042.1%bar
Waltz1012.1%bar
March881.8%bar
Barn dance621.3%bar
Single jig571.2%bar
Fling410.8%bar
Set dance410.8%bar
Strathspey390.8%bar
Highland370.8%bar
Other210.4%bar
Mazurka140.3%bar
Schottisch90.2%bar
Single reel60.1%bar
Total4,860
Please cite your source when you share information from this document. This page was updated on 9 February 2010.
© 2000–2010 Alan Ng, agng@facstaff.wisc.edu. Questions? Comments? Please use the easy Feedback Form. Thank you!
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