The reel is the most common and most popular tune type. It is in 4/4 time or sometimes Cut time. There are two strong beats (beats 1 and 3) in a bar so, though we can write them in 4/4 time, Cut time may also be used.

The most likely reason for the reels’ popularity is that players can best express their art through them. The possibilities for ornamentation, variation, phrasing, rhythm, and tempo are endless and this can be heard in different players’ approach to any one tune.

Because of this-and because the tunes themselves tend to be more difficult-it can take some time to master them.