Occasionally Tony will pick up a tune that just seems to feel so natural to play, so easy on the fingers, it rolls off the musical tongue so to speak. This is one of those tunes. It’s eerie but it’s as if Ryan composed this for guitar. It’s the perfect range for the guitar, played between a Low A and the A two octaves above, there’s plenty of space between the notes, no high B to “fret” over, and a busy chord progression to play with.

Occasionally Tony will pick up a tune that just seems to feel so natural to play, so easy on the fingers, it rolls off the musical tongue so to speak. This is one of those tunes. It’s eerie but it’s as if Ryan composed this for guitar. It’s the perfect range for the guitar, played between a Low A and the A two octaves above, there’s plenty of space between the notes, no high B to “fret” over, and a busy chord progression to play with.

Lesson 90. Thousand Farewells

“Shoemaker’s Daughter” is a composition of legendary Cavan fiddler Ed Reavy (1897-1988). The A Part of this tune is played in a G Mixolydian Mode, whilst the B Part is in G Major. Transcriptions in Irish music of tunes that change to different modes that retain the same Tonic Note often, mistakenly, use the same key signature.

“Shoemaker’s Daughter” is a composition of legendary Cavan fiddler Ed Reavy (1897-1988). The A Part of this tune is played in a G Mixolydian Mode, whilst the B Part is in G Major. Transcriptions in Irish music of tunes that change to different modes that retain the same Tonic Note often, mistakenly, use the same key signature.

Lesson 89. Shoemaker's Daughter

“Scatter The Mud” is a tune sometimes played in E Minor but this version is in the more common A Minor (Dorian mode). Tony has arranged this version for Open A tuning (EAC#EAE) but we have included a version in standard tuning for those who wish to stick with the standard tuning.

“Scatter The Mud” is a tune sometimes played in E Minor but this version is in the more common A Minor (Dorian mode). Tony has arranged this version for Open A tuning (EAC#EAE) but we have included a version in standard tuning for those who wish to stick with the standard tuning.

Lesson 88. Scatter the Mud

The tune is in jig time (6/8) but is a set dance and is played considerably slower than normal jig tempo. However, other than tempo, all the “rules” that apply to jigs apply to this tune.

The tune is in jig time (6/8) but is a set dance and is played considerably slower than normal jig tempo. However, other than tempo, all the “rules” that apply to jigs apply to this tune.

Lesson 87. St Patricks' Day

A very well known tune, so much so that it is played by musicians outside of the Irish music genre. the standard key is G, but Tony transposed it to A Major on the banjo, then started playing it on the guitar in Open A major tuning and came up with this arrangement. The book also includes a version in standard tuning for those who don’t want to get involved with Open A at this point in time. Open A tuning is E A C# E A E, from lowest to highest pitch.

A very well known tune, so much so that it is played by musicians outside of the Irish music genre. the standard key is G, but Tony transposed it to A Major on the banjo, then started playing it on the guitar in Open A major tuning and came up with this arrangement. The book also includes a version in standard tuning for those who don’t want to get involved with Open A at this point in time. Open A tuning is E A C# E A E, from lowest to highest pitch.

Lesson 86. Saddle the Pony

As much as Tony would like to claim credit for this composition it’s not his to claim. This tune was in circulation a long time ago. This tune is normally played in A mixolydian so you will need to capo on the second fret.

As much as Tony would like to claim credit for this composition it’s not his to claim. This tune was in circulation a long time ago. This tune is normally played in A mixolydian so you will need to capo on the second fret.

Lesson 85. O'Rourke's

Some musicians play this tune in C, others in D. Tony plays it in D on the banjo but in C on the guitar. For this lesson the capo is on 2, thus it’s in D. In the podcast, Tony talks about the importance of listening to other versions of any tune you are learning.

Some musicians play this tune in C, others in D. Tony plays it in D on the banjo but in C on the guitar. For this lesson the capo is on 2, thus it’s in D. In the podcast, Tony talks about the importance of listening to other versions of any tune you are learning.

Lesson 84. Forget Me Not

This tune is sometimes known as “Dr. John Stafford”. The tune begins on a C chord. For the accompaniment Tony plays and holds a bass note and then, instead of a full chord, he plays the notes of a chord individually.

This tune is sometimes known as “Dr. John Stafford”. The tune begins on a C chord. For the accompaniment Tony plays and holds a bass note and then, instead of a full chord, he plays the notes of a chord individually.

Lesson 83. O'Carolan's Receipt for Drinking

Tony describes how to play a triplet on the lower (thicker) strings when describing how to play this reel.

Tony describes how to play a triplet on the lower (thicker) strings when describing how to play this reel.

Lesson 82. Mullingar Races

Máire Rua, translated as “Red Haired Mary”, is a slip jig in G. The B Part of the tune moves into a D Mixolydian mode but as this mode contains the same notes as G Major, that is one sharp (F#), there is no need to change the key signature. The tune moves back to G Major for the last bar of the tunes, which is in fact identical to the last bar of Part A. Tony often pairs this tune with a slip jig we looked at in Lesson 16, Na Ceannabháin Bhána.

Máire Rua, translated as “Red Haired Mary”, is a slip jig in G. The B Part of the tune moves into a D Mixolydian mode but as this mode contains the same notes as G Major, that is one sharp (F#), there is no need to change the key signature. The tune moves back to G Major for the last bar of the tunes, which is in fact identical to the last bar of Part A. Tony often pairs this tune with a slip jig we looked at in Lesson 16, Na Ceannabháin Bhána.

Lesson 81. Máire Rua

Learn to play traditional Irish music on the Guitar with teacher Tony O'Rourke and Gerry Gaffney

This is exactly what i was looking for. I love the presentation, the steady manner of teaching, and the experience brought to these lessons. I love the traditional songs and i have been trying to find a great place to learn trad Irish songs on guitar... this is the place!Thank you so much!

THANK YOU!

If you have even the slightest interest in playing Irish Guitar then you owe it to yourself to download and listen to these lessons. With an easy going and calm manner these two lead you through one song per lesson. They ask and answer the questions you might not even know to ask all while giving you a music history lesson as well as explaining every aspect of the tune being highlighted. Listen to the first podcast, go to their website and download the tab and try it out. You&#39;ll be hooked. 

Great Irish Guitar Lessons in a relaxed style

Irish Guitar Podcast

A nice simple jig.The tune is mostly played in the open position, so you don’t have to move your hand until the last two bars.For the last two bars, you use the first finger for G – 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 27 - The Kesh Jig

Here we have a tune in Open A (although in the book you'll also find a version in regular tuning.) The Open A tuning Tony uses is, from the lowest string to the highest: E A C# E A E.

Here we have a tune in Open A (although in the book you'll also find a version in regular tuning.) The Open A tuning Tony uses is, from the lowest string to the highest: E A C# E A E.

Lesson 79. Coalminer's Reel

Two tunes that are often played together are Crowley’s 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 don’t 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.

Two tunes that are often played together are Crowley’s 1 and 2.The legendary Connemara single row melodeon player Johnny Connolly plays these two on his first recording '<a href="http://www.cic.ie/product.asp?idproduct=674" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">An t'Oileann Aerach</a>', available on CIC Records (<a href="http://www.cic.ie/product.asp?idproduct=674).The" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.cic.ie/product.asp?idproduct=674).The</a> 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 don’t 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 23 - Crowley's 1

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 16 - Na Ceannabhain Bhána

This tune is sometimes known as “The Funny Reel” and is played in D. On the guitar Tony plays it in C with the capo on the 2nd fret.

This tune is sometimes known as “The Funny Reel” and is played in D. On the guitar Tony plays it in C with the capo on the 2nd fret.

Lesson 75. Crossing the Shannon

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.

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 <a href="http://number.In" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">number.In</a> 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 18 - The Wise Maid

McFadden’s Handsome Daughter is an A Major tune but for the guitar Tony plays it in G with capo on the 2nd fret. The tune is a composition of John McFadden (1847-1913).

McFadden’s Handsome Daughter is an A Major tune but for the guitar Tony plays it in G with capo on the 2nd fret. The tune is a composition of John McFadden (1847-1913).

Lesson 77. McFadden's Handsome Daughter

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 ‘regular’ 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.

In episode 9, we had this reel in the 'normal' <a href="http://tuning.In" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tuning.In</a> 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 ‘regular’ tuning. However, learning them is no different from learning any other chord; and having these under your belt opens up your <a href="http://repertoire.In" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">repertoire.In</a> 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 26 - Green Fields of America (in Open D)

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 25 - Forty Pound Float

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 21 - Britches Full of Stitches

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.

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 <a href="http://three.In" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">three.In</a> 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 28 - Lord Inchiquin

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 22 - Calliope House

'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 Tí­,  which literally means 'Man of the House'.File size is 1.1MB.Duration is 9 minutes 45 seconds.

Lesson 15 - Man of the House

The Garden Of Daisies is a set dance and is played in hornpipe time, but somewhat slower than your average hornpipe. Note that the tempo on the recording of Marie Walsh is the correct tempo for tunes of this type.

The Garden Of Daisies is a set dance and is played in hornpipe time, but somewhat slower than your average hornpipe. Note that the tempo on the recording of Marie Walsh is the correct tempo for tunes of this type.

Lesson 80. Garden of Daisies

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 20 - The Banshee (McMahon's)

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.

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 <a href="http://tinyurl.com/22cr69" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">available on eMusic</a>  (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/22cr69).File" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/22cr69).File</a> size is 1.1MB.Duration is 9 minutes 14 seconds.

Lesson 17 - Mist Covered Mountain

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