Galopede

Notes

“Galopede” (also known as “Yarmouth Reel” or “The Persian Dance”) is one of the most quintessential “community” tunes in the English and American folk traditions. It is a staple of English Ceilidh and New England Contra dances, primarily because its structure is perfectly tailored to the “longways” dance formation. It has a bright, bouncy, and undeniably cheerful character that makes it nearly impossible to sit still while hearing it.

The tune is a “polka-style” reel, meaning it has a very strong “two-beat” feel ($1$–$2$, $1$–$2$) that encourages high-stepping and energetic movement.

• The Key: It is almost universally played in G Major. This makes it incredibly “bright” and allows the fiddle and accordion to use a lot of rhythmic, open-string pulses.

• The Melody: The A-part is simple and grounding, while the B-part features a series of ascending phrases that build excitement. The C-part (this is often a three-part tune!) usually involves a repetitive, rhythmic “clapping” or “stomping” section that corresponds to specific moves on the dance floor.

• The Spirit: It is the definition of “social music.” It isn’t a complex concert piece meant for deep contemplation; it is a functional, driving engine designed to get a room full of people moving in unison.