Reel vs. Jig — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 14, 2024
Reel is a traditional folk dance with a quick tempo, often in 4/4 time, characterized by its fluid, smooth movements. Jig, in contrast, is faster, typically in 6/8 time, with lively, bouncing steps.
Difference Between Reel and Jig
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Key Differences
Reel originates from Scottish and Irish folk dance traditions, where it is performed both solo and in groups, marked by its flowing and graceful movements. Dancers typically intertwine, progressing through patterns with coordinated steps. Jig, on the other hand, has a more vigorous and lively pace, often associated with Irish dance, featuring rapid leg movements and a bouncing rhythm, making it distinctively energetic.
The musical accompaniment for a reel has a steady, even rhythm, providing a continuous flow that guides the dancers' movements. This type of dance can vary in speed but maintains a consistent tempo that supports the dancers' smooth transitions. Conversely, jig music is characterized by its quick, repetitive rhythm that emphasizes the lively, jumping actions of the dancers, often leading to a more dynamic and physically demanding performance.
Reels are often danced at social gatherings and ceilidhs, where participants enjoy the communal and celebratory aspect of the dance, emphasizing group coordination and fluidity. Jigs, while also popular in social settings, offer dancers a chance to showcase their agility and individual skill, with solo jigs being a common feature in competitive Irish dancing.
In terms of steps and technique, reel steps are more about gliding and flowing movements, with dancers frequently using linking arms and holding hands in group formations. Jigs focus on the intricate footwork and elevated kicks, with the dancers' upper bodies staying relatively still, allowing the legs to perform the rapid, lively motions that define the dance.
Despite their differences, both reel and jig play important roles in their respective cultural traditions, celebrating heritage and community through music and dance. Whether flowing through the patterns of a reel or bouncing to the rhythm of a jig, dancers express joy and camaraderie, sharing in the timeless tradition of folk dance.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Scottish and Irish
Mainly Irish
Time Signature
Often in 4/4
Typically in 6/8
Movement Style
Smooth, flowing
Lively, bouncing
Musical Rhythm
Steady, even
Quick, repetitive
Dance Setting
Social gatherings, ceilidhs
Social settings, competitive dancing
Compare with Definitions
Reel
4/4 time signature.
Reel music offers a steady rhythm for dancers to flow smoothly.
Jig
Bouncing steps.
The hallmark of jig dancing is the rapid leg movement with a springy feel.
Reel
Fluid movements.
Dancers in a reel glide across the floor with elegant steps.
Jig
Solo performance.
Solo jigs are common in competitive dancing, showcasing individual skill.
Reel
Group coordination.
Reel dancing often involves intricate patterns performed in groups.
Jig
6/8 time signature.
Jig music has a lively rhythm that encourages quick, bouncing movements.
Reel
Celebratory nature.
Reels are a festive part of social gatherings, celebrating culture and community.
Jig
Physical demand.
The jig is physically demanding, requiring agility and stamina from the dancers.
Reel
Traditional folk dance.
The Scottish reel is a highlight at many traditional weddings.
Jig
Irish dance form.
The jig is a staple in Irish dance, known for its energetic steps.
Reel
A reel is an object around which a length of another material (usually long and flexible) is wound for storage. Generally a reel has a cylindrical core and walls on the sides to retain the material wound around the core.
Jig
The jig (Irish: port, Scottish Gaelic: port-cruinn) is a form of lively folk dance in compound metre, as well as the accompanying dance tune. It first gained popularity in 16th-century Scotland and Northern England, and was quickly adopted on mainland Europe where it eventually became the final movement of the mature Baroque dance suite (the French gigue; Italian and Spanish giga).
Reel
A device, such as a cylinder, spool, or frame, that turns on an axis and is used for winding and storing rope, tape, film, or other flexible materials.
Jig
Any of various lively dances in triple time.
Reel
A cylindrical device attached to a fishing rod to let out or wind up the line.
Jig
The music for such a dance. Also called gigue.
Reel
The quantity of wire, film, or other material wound on one reel.
Jig
A joke or trick. Used chiefly in the phrase The jig is up.
Reel
A set of curved lawnmower blades that rotate around a bar parallel to the ground, cutting grass while moving against a stationary straight blade.
Jig
A typically metal fishing lure with one or more hooks, usually deployed with a jiggling motion on or near the bottom.
Reel
A staggering, swaying, or whirling movement.
Jig
An apparatus for cleaning or separating crushed ore by agitation in water.
Reel
A moderately fast dance of Scottish origin.
Jig
A device for guiding a tool or for holding machine work in place.
Reel
The Virginia reel.
Jig
Used as a disparaging term for a black person.
Reel
The music for one of these dances.
Jig
To dance or play a jig.
Reel
A handheld hammer used in a quarry for shaping granite blocks.
Jig
To move or bob up and down jerkily and rapidly.
Reel
To wind on or let out from a reel.
Jig
To operate a jig.
Reel
To recover by winding on a reel
Reel in a large fish.
Jig
To bob or jerk (something) up and down or to and fro.
Reel
To be thrown off balance or fall back
Reeled from the sharp blow.
Jig
To machine (an object) with the aid of a jig.
Reel
To stagger, lurch, or sway, as from drunkenness
Reeled down the alley.
Jig
To separate or clean (ore) by shaking a jig.
Reel
To go round and round in a whirling motion
Gulls reeling and diving.
Jig
(music) A light, brisk musical movement; a gigue.
Reel
To feel dizzy
My head reeled with the facts and figures.
Jig
A lively dance in 6/8 (double jig), 9/8 (slip jig) or 12/8 (single jig) time; a tune suitable for such a dance. By extension, a lively traditional tune in any of these time signatures. Unqualified, the term is usually taken to refer to a double (6/8) jig.
They danced a jig.
Reel
To cause to reel.
Jig
A dance performed by one or sometimes two individual dancers, as opposed to a dance performed by a set or team.
Reel
A shaky or unsteady gait.
Jig
(fishing) A type of lure consisting of a hook molded into a weight, usually with a bright or colorful body.
Reel
A lively dance originating in Scotland; also, the music of this dance; often called a Scottish (or Scotch) reel.
Jig
A device in manufacturing, woodworking, or other creative endeavors for controlling the location, path of movement, or both of either a workpiece or the tool that is operating upon it. Subsets of this general class include machining jigs, woodworking jigs, welders' jigs, jewelers' jigs, and many others.
Cutting circles out of pinewood is best done with a compass-style jig.
Reel
A kind of spool, turning on an axis, on which yarn, threads, lines, or the like, are wound.
A log reel, used by seamen
An angler's reel
A garden reel
Nudge the fruit machine reel
Jig
(mining) An apparatus or machine for jigging ore.
Reel
(agriculture) A device consisting of radial arms with horizontal stats, connected with a harvesting machine, for holding the stalks of grain in position to be cut by the knives.
Jig
(obsolete) A light, humorous piece of writing, especially in rhyme; a farce in verse; a ballad.
Reel
(film) A short compilation of sample film work used as a demonstrative resume in the entertainment industry.
Jig
(obsolete) A trick; a prank.
Reel
To wind on a reel.
Jig
A black person.
Reel
To spin or revolve repeatedly.
Jig
To move briskly, especially as a dance.
The guests were jigging around on the dance floor.
Reel
To unwind, to bring or acquire something by spinning or winding something else.
He reeled off some tape from the roll and sealed the package.
Jig
To move with a skip or rhythm; to move with vibrations or jerks.
Reel
To walk shakily or unsteadily; to stagger; move as if drunk or not in control of oneself.
Jig
(fishing) To fish with a jig.
Reel
To back off, step away, or sway backwards unsteadily and suddenly.
He reeled back from the punch.
Jig
To sing to the tune of a jig.
Reel
To make or cause to reel.
Jig
To trick or cheat; to cajole; to delude.
Reel
To have a whirling sensation; to be giddy.
Jig
(mining) To sort or separate, as ore in a jigger or sieve.
Reel
To be in shock.
Jig
To cut or form, as a piece of metal, in a jigging machine.
Reel
To produce a mechanical insect-like song, as in grass warblers.
Jig
To skip school or be truant (Australia, Canadian Maritimes)
Reel
(obsolete) To roll.
Jig
A light, brisk musical movement.
Hot and hasty, like a Scotch jig.
Reel
A lively dance of the Highlanders of Scotland; also, the music to the dance; - often called Scotch reel.
Jig
A light, humorous piece of writing, esp. in rhyme; a farce in verse; a ballad.
A jig shall be clapped at, and every rhymePraised and applauded.
Reel
A frame with radial arms, or a kind of spool, turning on an axis, on which yarn, threads, lines, or the like, are wound; as, a log reel, used by seamen; an angler's reel; a garden reel.
Jig
A piece of sport; a trick; a prank.
Is't not a fine jig,A precious cunning, in the late Protector?
Reel
A machine on which yarn is wound and measured into lays and hanks, - for cotton or linen it is fifty-four inches in circuit; for worsted, thirty inches.
Jig
A trolling bait, consisting of a bright spoon and a hook attached.
Reel
A device consisting of radial arms with horizontal stats, connected with a harvesting machine, for holding the stalks of grain in position to be cut by the knives.
Jig
A small machine or handy tool
Reel
The act or motion of reeling or staggering; as, a drunken reel.
Jig
To sing to the tune of a jig.
Jig off a tune at the tongue's end.
Reel
To roll.
And Sisyphus an huge round stone did reel.
Jig
To trick or cheat; to cajole; to delude.
Reel
To wind upon a reel, as yarn or thread.
Jig
To cut or form, as a piece of metal, in a jigging machine.
Reel
To incline, in walking, from one side to the other; to stagger.
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man.
He, with heavy fumes oppressed,Reeled from the palace, and retired to rest.
The wagons reeling under the yellow sheaves.
Jig
To dance a jig; to skip about.
You jig, you amble, and you lisp.
Reel
To have a whirling sensation; to be giddy.
In these lengthened vigils his brain often reeled.
Jig
To move with a skip or rhythm; to move with vibrations or jerks.
The fin would jig off slowly, as if it were looking for nothing at all.
Reel
A roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector
Jig
Music in three-four time for dancing a jig
Reel
Music composed for dancing a reel
Jig
Any of various old rustic dances involving kicking and leaping
Reel
Winder consisting of a revolving spool with a handle; attached to a fishing rod
Jig
Dance a quick dance with leaping and kicking motions
Reel
A winder around which thread or tape or film or other flexible materials can be wound
Reel
A lively dance of Scottish highlanders; marked by circular moves and gliding steps
Reel
An American country dance which starts with the couples facing each other in two lines
Reel
Walk as if unable to control one's movements;
The drunken man staggered into the room
Reel
Revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis;
The dervishes whirl around and around without getting dizzy
Reel
Wind onto or off a reel
Common Curiosities
How does a jig differ from a reel?
A jig is faster and more vigorous than a reel, characterized by its lively, bouncing steps and a 6/8 time signature.
Are reels and jigs only solo dances?
While jigs can be performed solo, especially in competitive settings, both reels and jigs can be danced in groups.
What makes jig dancing distinctive?
Jig dancing is known for its energetic, bouncing steps, driven by quick, repetitive music.
What type of music accompanies a reel?
Reel music has a steady, even rhythm that supports the dance's fluid movements.
Can reels and jigs be danced to modern music?
While traditionally set to folk music, reels and jigs can be adapted to modern tunes that maintain the appropriate time signatures.
What is a reel in dance?
A reel is a traditional folk dance with smooth, flowing movements, often performed to music in a 4/4 time signature.
What is the cultural significance of reels and jigs?
Reels and jigs are integral to their respective cultural traditions, celebrating heritage and community through dance.
What role does agility play in jig dancing?
Agility is crucial in jig dancing, as the rapid leg movements and bouncing steps require quick, precise movements.
Can beginners learn to dance a reel or jig?
Yes, beginners can learn both dances, starting with basic steps before progressing to more complex patterns.
How do dancers perform a reel in groups?
In group reels, dancers often link arms or hold hands, moving through coordinated patterns and formations.
How do jigs and reels differ in their physical demands?
Jigs are generally more physically demanding due to their rapid, high-energy steps, while reels focus on elegance and fluidity.
Are there competitive events for jig dancing?
Yes, jig dancing is featured in competitive Irish dancing events, where dancers showcase their agility and precision.
Do reels require specific footwear?
Reel dancers typically wear soft shoes that allow for smooth, gliding movements across the dance floor.
What attire is typical for jig dancers?
Jig dancers often wear traditional Irish dance costumes, which can include embroidered dresses or tailored jackets and pants.
How do social gatherings incorporate reels and jigs?
Reels and jigs are often danced at social gatherings and ceilidhs, where they add to the festive atmosphere and encourage community participation.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
