Tag Archives: Celtic

Maid Behind The Bar: Mandolin Lesson

The Maid Behind The Bar is a traditional Irish reel, with a 2 part form, in the key of D.  While an easy tune to pick up with a sweet melody, the tempo is fast, making it a great tune for the advanced picker wanting a challenge! In the lesson, we’ll cover the important techniques to focus on to help you get the tune up to speed.  Go to lesson...

Maid Behind The Bar: Banjo Lesson

The Maid Behind The Bar is a traditional Irish reel, with a 2 part form. In the key of D, the banjo is tuned to aDGBD to accomodate the melody in an easy way. Incorporating both the melodic & single-string techniques, the melody is sweet, the tempo is fast, and this tune would suit the advanced picker wanting a challenge! Go to lesson...

Da New Rigged Ship: Mandolin Lesson

Da New Rigged Ship is a traditional Scottish reel, with a 3 part form. Part A & C are in Am (dorian), while part B modulates into A Major. There are two variations within the arrangement, the basic melody and a more advanced variation, featuring some great rhythm ornamentation. While the basic melody is easy enough to pick, this tune would suit the advanced picker due to the tempo and will be a great addition to your repertoire.  Go to lesson...

Da New Rigged Ship: Banjo Lesson

Da New Rigged Ship is a traditional Scottish reel, with a 3 part form. Part A & C are in Am (dorian), while part B modulates into A Major, and the banjo is tuned to aDGBD to accomodate the melody in an easy way. Incorporating both the melodic & single-string techniques, the melody is easy enough to pick, but this tune would suit the advanced picker due to the tempo and will be a great addition to your repertoire.  Go to lesson...

Kid On The Mountain: Banjo Lesson

The Kid On The Mountain is traditional Irish slip jig (9/8), played at a fast tempo, in the key of Em (standard tuning). There are five parts to the tune, each containing some excellent picking passages that require us to accent the 3 beats found in each measure, whilst ensuring we apply an appropriate picking technique, that incorporates both the melodic & single-string techniques. Go to lesson...

Connaughtman’s Rambles: Guitar Lesson

The Connaughtman’s Rambles is a great jig in the key of D, played at a fast tempo, and suited to the advancing intermediate picker. There are two parts to the tune, each presenting their own challenges; cross picking, arpeggios and the picking technique required ensuring the 6/8 feel is accented. Spend some time on this tune, it will certainly develop your picking and will be a great addition to your repertoire! Go to lesson...

O’Carolan’s Draught: Mandolin Lesson

O’Carolan’s Draught is a tune, composed by Turlough O’Carolan and this arrangement is in the key of G. The tune has a very sweet melody, played at a medium tempo giving us the opportunity to be expressive while playing the melody with some dynamic contrast. Containing some excellent picking passages that include a little cross picking, this tune will be a really lovely addition to your repertoire. Go to lesson...