Irish Guitar Podcast

Lesson 36 - Swallow's Nest

Sun, 11 May 2008 07:49:00 GMT

This tune is a composition of the late Paddy O'Brien from Nenagh in Co. Tipperary.

Paddy O'Brienâs tunes are often very challenging, but are also very musical.

You will need to move your left hand into the third position when you reach the 11th bar. You can use the gap provided by the open E at the beginning of the bar to move into the third position, and then move back to open position for the last two bars.

This, incidentally, is the last tune in Book 2.

File size is 2.93MB.

Duration is 12 minutes 50 seconds.

Lesson 35 - Silver Spire

Sun, 4 May 2008 09:58:00 GMT

This reel is in D, so there are no notes that are played on the first fret.

Also the highest note in the tune is the F# on the 1st string, 2nd fret, so you wonât have to move your left hand.

The tune does require picking on all six strings. Keeping your left hand 'square' to the fretboard will help.

In the accompaniment, there area a few B Minor chords placed at strategic points in the second part of the tune, which add a touch of melancholia.

File size is 1.74MB.

Duration is 7 minutes 37 seconds.

Lesson 34 - Sunny Banks

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 11:29:00 GMT

A 16-bar reel consisting of two four-bar sections, each repeated once.

File size is 1.3MB.

Duration is 5 minutes 41 seconds.

Lesson 33 - Star of Munster

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 07:29:00 GMT

Originally in A minor, this tune is sometimes played in G minor - for example by both Martin Hayes and Kathleen Collins have recorded in G minor.

Martin pointed out to Tony that many A minor tunes are played in G minor in his native East Clare.

Tony's version here however is in the original A minor.

File size is 1.8MB.

Duration is 7 minutes 52 seconds.

Lesson 32 - Padraig O'Keefe's

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:29:00 GMT

This tune is a slide.

The time signature is 12/8, which means basically 12 quavers per bar, but more correctly 4 groups of either quavers or crotchet/quaver combinations.

A traditional Irish musician would count 4 beats per bar, each count being for 3 quavers or the equivalent: so *1* 2 3, *2* 2 3, *3* 2 3, *4* 2 3. Slides are often played very fast and are used for set dancers, and are widely played around Kerry and Cork.

Tony reminds us not to try to play too fast.

File size is 1.82MB.

Duration is 7 minutes 57 seconds.

Lesson 31 - Old Joe's Jig

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 05:16:00 GMT

Normally played in D, Tonyâs arrangement is in C, with a capo on the second fret.

The highest note is an A (5th fret, 1st string), and so the whole tune can be played from the open position. When fingering the high A note, remember to stretch the 4th finger to reach the note, and try to avoid moving the left hand.

File size is 2.86MB.

Duration is 12 minutes 29 seconds.

Lesson 30 - Miss McCloud's

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 02:12:00 GMT

Probably originally a Scottish tune, this is a very widely played reel.

The last two bars of both sections are identical.

Tony reminds us not to try to play too fast.

File size is 1.61MB.

Duration is 7 minutes 02 seconds.

Lesson 29 - Maid at the Well

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:12:00 GMT

A favourite of Tony's, he plays this jig in F, although it's normally played in G.

The key of F is not very common on guitar - and this is our first tune in F. Practicing the F scale is the best way to get used to it.

The accompaniment includes a B flat bar chord, but the others can be played in open position, so it shouldn't present too much of a problem.

File size is 2.04MB.

Duration is 8 minutes 55 seconds.

Lesson 28 - Lord Inchiquin

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:41:00 GMT

Another tune by the highly influential Turlough O'Carolan.

Planxty Irwin (which we had in Lesson 14, in Book 1) was another O'Carolan tune.

This is in 3/4 time, with emphasis on the first beat of each bar: *one* two three, *one* two three, *one* two three.

In this episode, we've also included a version with Tony playing the bouzouki and mandolin.

File size is 3.92MB.

Duration is 17 minutes 07 seconds.

Lesson 27 - The Kesh Jig

Sun, 9 Mar 2008 06:39:00 GMT

A nice simple jig.

The tune is mostly played in the open position, so you donât have to move your hand until the last two bars.

For the last two bars, you use the first finger for G â the third fret on the first string, the third finger for A (the 5th fret) and the fourth finger for B (7th fret).

If you also use the first finger for D after the open B on the third last bar, the open B gives you the opportunity to move your left hand back to the open position.

File size is 2.13MB.

Duration is 9 minutes 18 seconds.

Lesson 26 - Green Fields of America (in Open D)

Sun, 2 Mar 2008 03:37:00 GMT

In episode 9, we had this reel in the 'normal' tuning.

In this episode, it's in Open D tuning. The tuning (from lowest pitched string to highest) is D A D F# A D, .

As the tune is normally played in G, the capo is on the 5th fret.

The chord shapes for Open D are, of course, different to those for the âregularâ tuning. However, learning them is no different from learning any other chord; and having these under your belt opens up your repertoire.

In the booklet (Book 2), the chords shapes for Open D are on page 43.

File size is 2MB.

Duration is 8 minutes 46 seconds.

Lesson 25 - Forty Pound Float

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 10:50:00 GMT

A common polka, which Tony tells us has received some rough treatment.

Make it easier to learn by using shortcuts: the first bar is identical to the third and fifth bars, the last two bars of the first section are the same as the last two of the second section, and bars 9 and 10 are the same as bars 13 and 14.

File size is 2.59MB.

Duration is 11 minutes 21 seconds.

Lesson 24 - Crowley's 2

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Often played with last week's tune - Crowley's 1.

The tune is in D; the sheet music in the booklet shows it in C, with the capo on the second fret (to bring it into D).

In this episode, Tony also talks about combining tunes into sets.

And a reminder that the booklet accompanying these tunes is available for download from www.uxpod.com for US $9.

File size is 2.87MB.

Duration is 12 minutes 34 seconds.

Lesson 23 - Crowley's 1

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 07:47:00 GMT

Two tunes that are often played together are Crowleyâs 1 and 2.

The legendary Connemara single row melodeon player Johnny Connolly plays these two on his first recording 'An t'Oileann Aerach', available on CIC Records (www.cic.ie/product.asp?idproduct=674).

The tune is in D; the sheet music in the booklet shows it in C, with the capo on the second fret (to bring it into D).

The highest note is the G, 3rd fret, 1st string, so you donât have to move out of the open position.

The right hand is tricky if you include triplets, as you should be if you are playing Irish music - without ornamentation the tune does not sound authentic.

File size is 1.49MB.

Duration is 6 minutes 30 seconds.

Lesson 22 - Calliope House

Sun, 3 Feb 2008 02:59:00 GMT

This is a nice lively tune in the key of D.

Tony plays this tune with the high part first and the low part second, although it may have originally been played the other way around.

Because it's in the key of D, there are no notes on the first fret. Use your first finger for the second fret, second finger for the third, and so on.

File size is 2.18MB.

Duration is 9 minutes 32 seconds.

Lesson 21 - Britches Full of Stitches

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:46:00 GMT

This is a very common polka, and because of its simplicity is ideal for learners.

This tune is often used when playing for dancers but it is a lovely but simple 'stand alone' tune.

The left hand doesn't need to move at all; the notes are all in the first three sets on the four highest-pitched strings. Also, the last 3 bars of both parts are identical.

File size is 1.85MB.

Duration is 8 minutes 5 seconds.

Lesson 20 - The Banshee (McMahon's)

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:16:00 GMT

The Banshee is a reel that's sometimes know as McMahon's.

The first part is in G Major; it changes to E Minor in the second part.

The last two bars in the first and second parts are identical, which will help in learning.

File size is 2.96MB.

Duration is 12 minutes 56 seconds.

Lesson 19 - Andy McGann's Jig

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:49:00 GMT

The first of the Book 2 lessons is Andy McGann's jig.

Andy McGann was born in West Harlem and composed very many tunes.

There was an Andy McGann tribute on RTE in 2004 (tinyurl.com/2eputt)

Although this tune is normally in G, Tony's version is in C, with the capo on the 2nd fret, putting it in the key of D.

File size is 2.92MB.

Duration is 12 minutes 47 seconds.

Lesson 18 - The Wise Maid

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 10:03:00 GMT

The final lesson in the series is a reel. As we are in the key of D left hand fingering is to use the first finger for the second fret, second for the third fret, third finger for the fourth fret, and fourth finger for the fifth fret.

The accompaniment is a little complicated. Tony uses a lot of D/F# chords. The chord of D contains three notes D, F#, and A, in any combination and in any number.

In the case of D/F# you finger the F# note on the 6th string.

Tony does this with his thumb, which is a bit controversial with the more conservative music teachers.

File size is 1MB.

Duration is 9 minutes 03 seconds.

Lesson 17 - Mist Covered Mountain

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:52:00 GMT

The Mist Covered Mountain is a very haunting piece in A Dorian.

Normally it's played in the key of D, but Tony's arrangement is in the key of C, with a capo on the 2nd fret.

Tony talks about trying to arrange music so that it seems as if it's naturally written for the guitar.

There's a very nice version of this on DeDanann's album Mist Covered Mountain. It's available on eMusic (http://tinyurl.com/22cr69).

File size is 1.1MB.

Duration is 9 minutes 14 seconds.

Lesson 16 - Na Ceannabhain BhÃ¡na

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:06:00 GMT

A slip jig.

Slip jigs are in 9/8 time - think of each bar as having 3 groups of 3.

The chords are very simple - just G, C and D.

File size is 1.1MB.

Duration is 9 minutes 35 seconds.

Lesson 15 - Man of the House

Sun, 8 Jul 2007 11:34:00 GMT

'Man of the House' is a 16-bar reel, normally played in Em (Dorian mode).

Tony's version is in Dm (Dorian).

Its name in Irish is Fear an TÃÂ, which literally means 'Man of the House'.

File size is 1.1MB.

Duration is 9 minutes 45 seconds.

Lesson 14. Planxty Irwin

Sun, 1 Jul 2007 02:12:00 GMT

This is a finger-style arrangement of an O'Carolan tune.

The tune was written in G.

Tony's arrangement is in open D, with strings tuned as follows (from lowest sounding to highest): D A D F# A D.

The booklet contains both the finger-style information, and a traditional version if you're not quite ready to tackle that!

If you're learning the Open D version, Tony suggests learning a couple of bars at a time. It's worth the effort.

This lesson runs for 10 minutes 34 seconds.

File size is 1.2 MB.

Lesson 13. The Kerry Polka

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 11:14:00 GMT

This lively tune is not just a Kerry polka, Tony says, but *the* Kerry polka.

Tony refers to a nice recording of this by a Connemara accordion player, SonaÃ Choilm LearaÃ (on CIC Records).

This is a tune that fits very well with the guitar.

It's in the key of G.

Chords for the accompaniment are G, C, A7, and D. For variation, you can play an Em in the sixth bar, and can substitute A7 for Am in the fourth bar.

This lesson runs for 7 minutes 57 seconds.

File size is 936 KB.

Lesson 12. Chief O'Neill's

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 06:13:00 GMT

This is a hornpipe in the key of D.

The arrangement in O'Neill's Music of Ireland (revised by Myles Krassen) contains F# throughout the whole of the tune, but it is often played with F naturals in the second part.

Tony's arrangement is the older style, with F# throughout.

Hornpipes are played considerably more slowly than reels.

Chords for accompaniment are D, G, A and C.

This lesson runs for 11 minutes 16 seconds.

File size is 1.3 MB

Lesson 11. Cronin's Hornpipe

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 10:38:00 GMT

When learning this hornpipe, note that the last 6 bars in the B section are identical to the last 6 in the A section.

The tune contains a high B - which is not at all unusual. It requires you to move out of the open position. The sheet music in the booklet shows the fingering. To purchase the sheet music, click the 'Buy Now 'button at www.irishguitarpod.com.

The second part of the tune sometimes catches out inexperienced accompanists, because it rather unexpectedly begins with a D chord.
This doesn't mean that the tune has changed key - it's just part of the normal progression of the tune.

For something a little bit different, you might wish to insert a B Minor chord instead of the D chord in the first, fifth or thirteenth bar.

The chords for this tune are C, G, Am and D and Em. Although as Tony says you can also use a B Minor for variation.

This lesson runs for 11 minutes 15 seconds.

File size is 1.3 MB

Lesson 10. The Lark in the Morning

Sun, 3 Jun 2007 03:53:00 GMT

Our second set of 9 tunes begins with 'The Lark in the Morning'.

This is a four-part jig - probably the most widely played four-part jig in Irish music.

Because it has a total duration of 64 bars, it can be very handy for set dancers who may occasionally ask for a tune of that length.

Normally it's played in D Major, but Tony's version is in C Major, with a capo on the 2nd fret.

The booklet has been expanded to contain 18 tunes - but the price is unchanged at US $9. Anyone who bought the first booklet automatically gets the new updated version at no cost. If you've missed out, let us know and we'll sort it out.

This lesson runs for 9 minutes 35 seconds.

File size is 1.09 MB.

Lesson 9. The Green Fields of America

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 04:21:00 GMT

We finish this series with a reel in the key of G. The tune is also known as Judy Brallaghan.

Chords are C, G and D.

This tune has first- and second-time endings. In the sheet music, the bars marked '1' are used the first time you play, and the bars marked '2' are for the second time.

Kerr's collection of merry melodies apparently dates back to the 1870's. A Google search will return a lot of references.

This is our final lesson in this series; but we will be back with more another series within a couple of weeks. If listeners have suggestions we'd love to hear them - you can add a comment at www.irishguitarpod.com, or send an email to the address listed there.

And of course the notes for the series are also avaialble for purchase there for US $9.

SlÃn go fÃill.

This lesson runs for 14 minutes 26 seconds.

File size is 6.61 MB.

Lesson 8. The Green Mountain

Sun, 8 Apr 2007 01:29:00 GMT

The Green Mountain is a Reel.

ItÃïïs usually in the key of D, but our arrangement is in the key of C, with a capo on the second fret.

Custy's Music in Ennis is at www.custymusic.com.

The musician whom Tony mentions is Dympna O'Sullivan, and the CD is Ceol na mBan.

This lesson runs for 13 minutes 25 seconds.

File size is 6.14 MB.

Lesson 7. Jimmy Doyle's

Sun, 1 Apr 2007 10:21:00 GMT

Our first polka. This is in the key of G.

Polkas, like slides, are common in south-west Ireland.

They are in 2/4 time.

This lesson runs for 8 minutes 26 seconds.

File size is 3.86 MB.

Lesson 6. The Morning Star

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 02:17:00 GMT

This is a reel in the key of G.

Reels are the most challenging pieces in the repertoire of the traditional musician because of the need to play them at speed and yet include ornamentation.

A very nice rendition of this is on Martin Hayes self-titled album (accompanied by Randall Bays). Martin's website is www.martinhayes.com - when we checked some of the links were not working, but you can also buy the CD from Green Linnet (www.greenlinnet.com), or online from emusic (www.emusic.com).

This lesson runs for 8 minutes 59 seconds.

File size is 4.11 MB.

Lesson 5. Off to California

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 03:49:00 GMT

This tune is a hornpipe, and it's in the key of G.

Hornpipes are played in a 2/2 time signature, which is subtly different to a 4/4 signature, which Tony discusses in this lesson.

Tony also talks about the use of 'triplets'.

You can purchase the booklet covering all 9 lessons for US $9 from the website (www.irishguitarpod.com) - you can pay by PayPal or credit card. The booklet is over 30 pages in length and contains introductions to the tunes, sheet music, scales and chord diagrams.

The brand of capo Tony refers to is Kyser (www.kysermusical.com).

This lesson runs for 13 minutes 9 seconds.

File size is 6.02 MB.

Lesson 4. Cock O' The North

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 02:55:00 GMT

Cock O' The North is a slide in the key of C.

Most slides are from south-west Ireland (Kerry and Cork).

Slides are written in 12/8 time. Normally there are not 12 notes in a bar. Instead, there will be a mixture of crotchets and quavers. Tony points out that the first part of the Teddy-bearsâ Picnic, played rapidly, has the characteristics of a slide.

This lesson runs for 11 minutes 51 seconds.

File size is 5.42 MB.

Lesson 3. Tobin's Favourite

Mon, 5 Mar 2007 06:14:00 GMT

Tobin's Favourite is a lovely and well-known jig in the key of D.

Incidentally, in the booklet, we introduce some scales at this point. Practicing your scales is a great way to get your fingers loosened up, and to get the right fingering into 'muscle memory'.

Once again in this lesson, Tony emphasizes the importance of practice...

This lesson runs for 6 minutes 56 seconds.

File size is 3.17 MB.

Lesson 2. The Hole in the Hedge

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 01:26:00 GMT

Our second lesson is a jig called 'The Hole in the Hedge'.

Originally in D, Tony has transposed it into C.

In this lesson, we also discuss ornamentation in Irish music.

Remember, you can download a free PDF of the first lesson - you can purchase the booklet for all 9 lessons for $9 by clicking the 'Buy Now' button at www.irishguitarpod.com.

This lesson runs for 23 minutes 51 seconds.

File size is 10.9 MB.

Lesson 1. The Blackthorn Stick

Mon, 5 Feb 2007 09:22:00 GMT

Our first lesson is a popular jig in the key of G.

It's also a good one to start with because it is played entirely in the open position - which means you don't have to move your hand up and down along the neck of the guitar as you are playing.

Do download the free lesson notes as it will help with fingering, chords and so on. (http://www.infodesign.com.au/ftp/IrishGuitarPodcastSample.pdf)

This lesson is 13 minutes 13 seconds in duration. File size is 60.5 MB.