Tag Archives: Celtic

Tarbolton Reel: Melodic Banjo Lesson

Tarbolton Reel is a traditional Scottish reel, played at a fast tempo, in the key of Em. Using both the dorian & aeolian minor scales, this arrangement features a nice mixture of ornamentation, rhythmic variation and both the melodic & single-string techniques. Up to tempo, this is a challenging tune, well suited to the advanced picker.

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Irish Washerwoman: Mandolin Lesson

The Irish Washerwoman is a fantastic traditional Irish jig in the key of G. Played at quite a lively tempo, there are some demanding techniques within the tune including the right-hand picking structure to help emphasise the pulse, plus the melody has quite a bit of movement up the neck. This in combination certainly lends the tune to the advancing intermediate picker. Go to lesson...

Boys of Malin: Melodic Banjo Lesson

The Boys of Malin is a fantastic traditional Irish reel in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2). There are 3 parts to the tune and this banjo arrangement features the melodic technique, with a little single-string. Played at a fast tempo, there are some demanding passages within the tune and is certainly suited to the advanced picker.

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Irish Washerwoman: Guitar Lesson

The Irish Washerwoman is a fantastic traditional Irish jig in the key of G. Played at quite a lively tempo, there are some demanding techniques within the tune including the right-hand picking structure to help emphasise the pulse, plus the melody has quite a bit of movement up the neck. This in combination certainly lends the tune to the advancing intermediate picker. Go to lesson...

Pigeon On The Gate: Mandolin Lesson

Pigeon On The Gate is a fantastic traditional Irish reel in the key of Em (Dorian). Played at a fast tempo, there are some demanding techniques within the tune and is certainly suited to the advanced picker. In the lesson we’ll break down how to approach the tune and work through the techniques you’ll need to focus on.  Go to lesson...

Pigeon On The Gate: Banjo Lesson

Pigeon On The Gate is a fantastic traditional Irish reel in the key of Em (Dorian). This banjo arrangement is in standard tuning and features both the single-string & melodic techniques on the 5-string. Played at a fast tempo, there are some demanding passages within the tune and is certainly suited to the advanced picker.

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Carolan’s Welcome: Mandolin Lesson

Carolan’s Welcome is a traditional air (3/4), composed by Turlough O’Carolan. This arrangement on the mandolin is in the key of Am, is a great tremolo study and is well suited to the intermediate picker. All of O’Carolan’s melodies are beautiful and this is no exception. Played at a relatively moderate tempo, in the lesson we’ll break down the melody and technique and work through several exercises to help you get on top of the tremolo. Go to lesson...

Smash The Windows: Banjo Lesson

Smash The Windows is a great traditional Irish jig, played at a lively tempo, in the key of D (standard tuning). This arrangement features both the melodic and single-string techniques and features the 6/8 time signature. Jigs always sound great on the banjo, but there are some challenging techniques and combined with the lively tempo this is well suited to the advanced intermediate picker.

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