John Ryan’s Polka is a well known traditional Irish polka, played in the key of D. In this lesson, we’ll cover the basic melody, but as simple as the melody is, we’ll then turn our attention to increasing speed in our playing. We’ll cover several speed exercises and an important strategy to help in your progress. Go to lesson...
Tag Archives: Key of D
Black Mountain Rag (D): Guitar Lesson
Black Mountain Rag is a popular fiddle tune, commonly played in 3 parts. While the key can vary depending on the instrument/version, a popular variation is to play in the key of D. This arrangement is in standard tuning (capo 2) and features some great crosspicking passages for the right-hand and plenty of left-hand challenges to build your picking strength! Go to lesson...
Boys Of Bluehill: Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson
The Boys Of Bluehill is a popular traditional Irish hornpipe, in the key of D. In this arrangement, we’ll learn a finger style version that takes the tune and places it in DADGAD tuning, adding embellishments to the melody and mixes it with some really interesting harmony accompaniment. Often played at a fast tempo, I’d suggest this arrangement is suited to the advanced finger picker…but don’t be put off by the tempo; I think it also works beautifully at a slower tempo! Go to lesson...
Black Mountain Rag (Key of D): Banjo Lesson
Black Mountain Rag is a popular fiddle tune, commonly played in 3 parts. While the key can vary depending on the instrument/version, a popular variation is to play in the key of D. This arrangement is in standard tuning (capo 2 – 5th string spiked at fret 7) and features both melodic & Scruggs techniques and is definitely a lot of fun on the banjo! Go to lesson...
101 Introduction To Melodic Banjo #3
In part 3 of this introduction to the melodic banjo techniques, we’ll continue to work out of open G tuning, but look at the key of D major. We’ll cover scale positions and exercises for the key, while applying these to another great tune, that is sure to enhance your technique. Go to lesson...
Over The Waterfall: Mandolin Lesson
Over The Waterfall is a popular traditional tune, with a 2 part form, in the key of D and this arrangement contains two variations. The first variation is a basic version of the melody, well suited to the advancing beginner, while the second variation includes a typical embellished back & forth around the melody that you’ll here in many fiddle tunes by more seasoned pickers. In Go to lesson...
Over The Waterfall: Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson
Over The Waterfall is a popular traditional tune, with a 2 part form, in the key of D. This fingerstyle arrangement has both a basic & advanced variation and the guitar is tuned to the lovely sounding DADGAD tuning. Featuring a variety of intricate techniques, including drones, triplet slurs, octaves and left-hand taps, the arrangement is certainly one of my favourites. 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...