Kemp's Jig
Listening Guide
Embedded Files
Composer: Composer unknown but was performed by William Kemp. The piece became known as Kemp's Jig
Composition: "Kemp's Jig"
Date: late 1500s
Genre: Jig (Dance Piece instrumental)
Form: abb (repeated in this recording) Most dances of the period had a rhythmic and harmony pause or repose (cadence) every four or eight measures to mark a musical or dancing phrase.
Performing Forces: Lute solo instrumental piece
What we want you to remember about this composition:
- A jig is a light folk dance. It is a dance piece of music that can stand alone when played as an instrumental player. This new shift in instrumental music from strictly accompaniment to stand-alone music performances began a major advance for instrumental music.
- Will Kemp was a dancer and actor. He won a bet that he could dance from London to Norwich (80 miles). "Kemps Jig" was written to celebrate the event.
One thing to remember about this composition:
- This piece of dance music is evolving from just a predictable dance accompaniment to a central piece of instrumental music. Such alterations of dance music for the sake of the music itself are referred to as the stylization of dance music that has carried on through the centuries.
Timing
Timing
Performing Forces, Melody, and Texture
Performing Forces, Melody, and Texture
Text and Form:
Text and Form:
Report abuse