Hoe-Downs

The term “hoe-down” is also called a “break-down” in the Ozarks. This category is used to define a dance tune in 2/4 time. Formally, this type of tune was called a “reel” in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, here and in the British Isles where many of these tunes originated. Even today, some people call a break-down a reel.

To clarify what a traditional hoe-down sounds like in the Ozarks, one needs to listen to certain recordings which reflect the older style. See the examples at the end of this definition. The traditional style of playing hoe-downs predates bluegrass, swing, jazz, and all other modern types of fiddling. In the Ozarks, fiddlers had to accompany the square-dances on many occasions and frequently they were the sole musician to lead the dancing. In order to create a danceable character in the tunes, some notable characteristics were adapted to the early reels.

First, the fiddler may begin with either a shuffle rhythm or simply striking a double-stop chord twice. Next, the first beat of the tune is played a little before the beat with an accented down bow which creates an impetus to begin. The tune is usually comprised of two sections, of eight measures each. The first section is played twice, before playing the next section of eight measures, which are then played twice, as well. Sometimes there are three sections and even more rarely, four sections. The tune proceeds similarly as an Appalachian hoe-down with evenly played sixteenth notes (not swung); however, the rhythmic patterns are typically different in the Ozarks. Shuffle patterns (eighth and two sixteenth notes) dominate the rhythmic patterns and usually there a slight pause, or longer note, on the second beat of every two or four measures. This pause is a way of marking time for dancers which helps them remember the number of beats in the phrase. Perhaps another reason this recurring point of rest developed, was to give the fiddlers enough stamina to play for hours at a time. A typical “full” square-dance will last 20 – 22 minutes. As a rule, Ozark fiddlers will play hoe-downs faster than any other region in the United States (between 130 and 160 bpm). The tunes also contain an occasional rag-time rhythm or rocking bow-pattern between two strings in even sixteenth notes. Most rhythmic patterns are not very complicated in the Ozark hoedowns because the steady beat is the most important element to maintain. Thus, the melodies tend to be simple, and not overly ornamented or varied. In other words, the melody is subservient to the rhythm in order to maintain the steady and danceable beat.