Tag Archives: Celtic

Childgrove: Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson

Childgrove is a traditional English country dance, played in the key of Am. In this lesson. we’ll dive into an arrangement that works its way up the neck in part A, with plenty of triads and harmony, while playing down the neck in part B with the melody and deep tones really setting the mood. Go to lesson...

Lesson 08 – Beginner Mandolin Crash Course (Greensleeves & Key of Dm)

In this eighth instalment of the beginner mandolin crash course, we’ll cover:

  • The D Natural, Harmonic, Dorian & Melodic Minor Scales;
  • Dm & A7 Arpeggios;
  • Common intervals used in arpeggios, scales and chords;
  • Tremolo technique;
  • And finally, we’ll learn 2 versions of ‘Greensleeves’, a well known English folk song. (Basic & tremolo).
Go to lesson...

Lesson 06 – Beginner Mandolin Crash Course (3/4 Time & Ash Grove)

In this sixth instalment of the beginner mandolin crash course, we’ll cover:

  • Chords relative to the key of D major and example rhythm in the 3/4 time signature;
  • How to help the feel/groove in the 3/4 time signature;
  • And finally, we’ll learn a great version of ‘The Ash Grove’, a popular waltz in the Key of D.
Go to lesson...

Mason’s Apron: Banjo Lesson

Mason’s Apron is a fast tempo, traditional Irish reel, in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2 string 5=A). In this lesson, we’ll learn an arrangement that uses the melodic & single-string techniques. The tune is relatively straight forward, when played at a slower tempo, but when played up to the usual tempo, does become more difficult, and is suited to the more advanced intermediate picker. Go to lesson...

John Ryan’s Polka: Melodic Banjo Lesson

John Ryan’s Polka is a well known, traditional Irish tune, played at a fast tempo. In this lesson, we’ll learn a melodic arrangement that contains two variations, in the key of D (standard tuning). The techniques used in the arrangement, combined with the tempo make this a challenging endeavour, suited to the more advanced picker. Go to lesson...

Munster Cloak, The: Banjo Lesson

The Munster Cloak is a Waltz that has a fun, yet challenging melody. In this lesson, we’ll learn a single-string & melodic arrangement that contains two variations, in the key of G (standard tuning). The techniques used in the arrangement combined with the tempo make this a challenging single-string tune, suited to the intermediate banjo picker, while the melodic part of the arrangement, up the neck, will be suited to the more advanced picker. Go to lesson...

Banish Misfortune: Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar

Banish Misfortune is a traditional Irish Jig (6/8), in the key of D (mixolydian – 5th mode of G). We’re in open Dsus4 tuning (DADGAD), and this fingerstyle arrangement is suited to the advanced picker, with challenging left & right hand positions, that require strong technique to play clearly and fluently. Go to lesson...

Colonel John Irwin: Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson

Colonel John Irwin is an Air (6/8), composed by Turlough O’Carolan, in the key of D (drop D tuning), and has a very sweet melody. This fingerstyle arrangement is suited to the advanced picker, with challenging left-hand positions that require strong technique to play clearly and fluently. As part of this lesson, we’ll cover the techniques needed to play this beautiful tune. Go to lesson...

Mug of Brown Ale: Mandolin Lesson (Advanced Intermediate Benchmark)

The ‘Mug of Brown Ale’ is a great traditional Jig in the Key of Am (dorian), and loads of fun to play! The techniques used in the arrangement combined with the tempo make this a great benchmark for the advanced intermediate picker. The right-hand picking is certainly a challenge, with the 6/8 time signature needing a high level of control, and the left-hand needs to be efficient and make use of all fingers. Go to lesson...

Mug of Brown Ale: Banjo Lesson (Advanced Intermediate Benchmark)

The ‘Mug of Brown Ale’ is a great traditional Jig in the Key of Am (dorian mode – standard tuning), and loads of fun to play! The techniques used in the arrangement combined with the tempo make this a great benchmark for the advanced intermediate picker. The right-hand picking is certainly a challenge, combining both single-string and melodic techniques, and the left-hand needs to accomodate position changes and be efficient. Go to lesson...