Book 1. Lessons 1 to 18

Lesson 1. The Blackthorn Stick

Submitted by gerry.gaffney on Mon, 02/05/2007 - 21:48

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 (a PDF file) as it will help with fingering, chords and so on. Mon, 5 February 2007.Listen to the lesson (Blackthorn_Stick.mp3, 13 minutes 13 seconds. 6.4 MB)

Lesson 2. The Hole in the Hedge

Submitted by gerry.gaffney on Sat, 02/24/2007 - 22:22

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.Listen to the lesson (Hole_in_the_Hedge.mp3.mp3, 23 minutes 51 seconds. 10.9 MB)

Lesson 3. Tobin's Favourite

Submitted by gerry.gaffney on Mon, 03/05/2007 - 22:22

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.

Listen to the lesson (Tobins_Favourite.mp3, 6 minutes 56 seconds. 3.17 MB)

Lesson 4. Cock O' The North

Submitted by gerry.gaffney on Sat, 03/10/2007 - 13:02

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-bears’ Picnic, played rapidly, has the characteristics of a slide.

Listen to the lesson (Cock_O_The_North.mp3, 11 minutes 51 seconds. 5.42 MB)

Lesson 5. Off to California

Submitted by gerry.gaffney on Sat, 03/17/2007 - 13:05

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'. The booklet (Book 3) is over 30 pages in length contains introductions to the tunes, sheet music, scales and chord diagrams. The brand of capo Tony refers to is Kyser.

Listen to the lesson (Off_to_California.mp3, 13 minutes 9 seconds. 6.02 MB)

Lesson 6. The Morning Star

Submitted by gerry.gaffney on Sat, 03/24/2007 - 22:22

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, or to download from emusic.

Listen to the lesson (Morning_Star.mp3, 8 minutes 59 seconds. 4.11 MB)

Lesson 7. Jimmy Doyle's

Submitted by gerry.gaffney on Sun, 04/01/2007 - 22:22

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.

Listen to the lesson (Jimmy_Doyles.mp3, 8 minutes 26 seconds. 3.86 MB)

Lesson 8. The Green Mountain

Submitted by gerry.gaffney on Sat, 04/07/2007 - 22:22

The Green Mountain is a Reel.

It's 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 mentioned during the episode.

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

Listen to the lesson (Green-Mountain.mp3, 13 minutes 25 seconds. 6.14 MB)

Lesson 9. The Green Fields of America

Submitted by gerry.gaffney on Sun, 04/15/2007 - 22:22

This is 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.

Listen to the lesson (Green_Fields_of_America.mp3, 14 minutes 26 seconds. 6.61 MB)

Lesson 10. The Lark in the Morning

Submitted by gerry.gaffney on Sat, 06/02/2007 - 22:22

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.

Listen to the lesson (Lark_In_The_Morning.mp3), 9 minutes 35 seconds. 1.09 MB)

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