Tag Archives: Celtic

The Black Nag (Crosspicking & Floating): Guitar Lesson

The Black Nag is traditional Irish jig (6/8), played at a fast tempo, in the key of Am. The structure of the melody allows for a great study of 2 techniques; crosspicking and floating. We’ll analyse the melody and compare the floating to single-string approach, while also applying the crosspicking techniques within the 6/8 time signature. Go to lesson...

101 Introduction To Melodic Banjo #1

The style of melodic banjo allows for intricate melody playing on the 5-string, with a very smooth or legato sound. Fiddle tunes can be played note for note, in a way that flows over the banjo neck. In this introduction to the style, we’ll cover:

  • The basics of the technique;
  • Introduce the scale positions commonly used in standard G tuning;
  • Cover the single-string technique basics;
  • Work through several exercises;
  • And finally, put it all together with a pretty tune ‘Boulavogue’.
Go to lesson...

Kid On The Mountain: Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson

The Kid On The Mountain is traditional Irish slip jig (9/8), played at a fast tempo, in the key of Em. There are five parts to the tune, each containing some excellent, yet demanding picking passages. This fingerstyle arrangement will suit the advanced picker and will be a great addition to your repertoire…who doesn’t love a slip jig! Go to lesson...

Cooley’s Reel: Mandolin Lesson

Cooley’s Reel is a traditional Irish reel in the key of Em (Dorian) and this arrangement contains two variations. It has a great feel and features some difficult passages that use arpeggios, triplet slurs and pedal tones, all while giving your right-hand a brilliant work out. While a challenge for the advanced picker, Cooley’s Reel is super fun to play & sounds great! Go to lesson...

Cooley’s Reel: Banjo Lesson

Cooley’s Reel is a traditional Irish reel in the key of Em (Dorian) and we’re in standard tuning on the 5 string. It has a great feel and features some difficult passages that use arpeggios and triplet slurs, all while giving your right-hand a brilliant work out, combining single-string, melodic & rolls. Go to lesson...

Good Natured Man: Guitar Lesson

Good Natured Man is a traditional Irish hornpipe, with a 2 part form, in the key of G. The arrangement combines several great techniques including crosspicking, floating, triplets, all combined with the hornpipe feel. The tempo is reasonably fast, making it a great tune for the advanced picker wanting a challenge, especially combined with the other techniques! Go to lesson...

Colonel John Irwin: (Chord Melody) Mandolin Lesson

Colonel John Irwin is an Air, composed by Turlough O’Carolan. There are two parts to the tune, in the key of D and this arrangement is played in the chord melody style. With a very pretty melody, the chord melody structure adds another layer to the mix, giving it great depth and is a tune well suited to the advanced picker. Go to lesson...

Maid Behind The Bar: Guitar Lesson

The Maid Behind The Bar is a traditional Irish reel, with a 2 part form, in the key of D. The melody is challenging on the guitar, with a wide range of movement. 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: 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...