Kevin Elam just posted a Lesson in which you can learn his accompaniment to the Song "Ye Lovers All", an emigration song which has been sung by a lot of artists.
Steeplechase are Hanz Araki (flutes, vocals), Zach Bauman (bouzouki), Sam Vogt (guitar, whistle), and David Lofgren (bodhrán).
This is a video of their CD release concert from May 1st 2026.
You'll find more information about the band here.
"From the Pacific Northwest comes a new album of traditional Irish and Scottish fare, Far From Home, the debut from quartet Steeplechase. Recorded at Sage Arts, truly a cathedral to music in Arlington, Washington, Far From Home is a self-produced ten track collection of songs and sundry dance tunes performed on Irish flute, penny whistle, Irish bouzouki, guitar, and bodhrán. The album was engineered by Jordan Cunningham, and mixed by legendary guitar-player and Lúnasa founding member Donogh Hennessy in Dingle, Co. Kerry.
Steeplechase (Hanz Araki, flutes, vocals; Zach Bauman, Irish bouzouki, vocals; Sam Vogt, acoustic guitars, low whistle; David Lofgren, bodhrán) played to their strengths and set out to create an album that hews closely to their live performances. They are at home with the music of Scotland and Ireland and feel no pressure to reinvent the wheel. This philosophy comes from a deep well of respect for the generations of musicians who came before them. This album is both a message of gratitude to their many influences as well as a contribution to this beloved genre."
Robin Jones did a tutorial on how to play Killeagh by Kingfishr. Lovely accompaniment with melody lines. Part 1 is for free, Part 2 can be obtained from his website.
Once a week, every Tuesday, Declan Plummer of TopScoreMusicAcademy, brings his live stream on youtube where he tries to work out an accompaniment to a tune he hasn't accompanied so far. The latest tune he worked on was Sam Cormier's Reel, composed by Denis Lanctot.
He always uses Video recordings by Fiddler Olivia Barrett. She plays this Reel in E, which seems to be the key in which Denis Lanctot composed it, although it seems that most musicians play it in D.
Here you'll find the short version of Declan playing Whistle and Bouzouki
This is the whole video, it's very long but it's interesting to watch how he developes his accompaniments.
A new Lesson by Luke Ward on YouTube. The Man Of The House in Em played with Capo on 2nd Fret.
I posted more of his videos here if you might want to have a look
The tabs can be found on his patreon site here.
I just like to share a few videos by John Davies, a singer, guitar and bouzouki player. I did not find any information about him on the web.
Here' "Tippin it up to Nancy"
Crazy Love by Van Morrison
Rambling Rover by Andy M. Stewart
If Not For You by Bob Dylan
Michael Eskin, well known for his "ABC Transcription Tools" has now released a new tool for practice, "The Thumpatron", a collection of Bodhran Beats in different tempo. Jigs, Reels and Polka Rhythms are available. Unfortunately no Slides, Slip Jigs and Hornpipes. But a very handy tool it is for sure.
You can find "The Thumpatron" here.
This is his website where you can find his "ABC Transcription Tools"
John Doyle, well known for his driving guitar accompaniment is also a great bouzouki player. In this video John and the Kevin Muiderman, Luthier of Muiderman Guitars discuss the building of this fine instrument.
John's bouzouki has a very small 11 1/2" body widths, ultralightweight tops and a graphite composite bracing within. The top is made of Sinker Redwood, back and sides made of Ziricote.
Luke Ward has published a lot of fantastic videos on his Patreon Site. If you haven't checked them you should do it now.
Now he has shared another video on youtube for free. If you want the notation you can find it on his patreon.
{t:Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore}
{st:Daoiri Farrell}
From [D]Derry quay we sailed a[G]way [D]
on the [C]twenty-[G/B]third of [D]May
We were [G]taken on [Am]board by a [D]pleasant crew,
bound [Am]for A[G]meri[C]kay
Fresh [G]water [Am]there we did [D]take on,
five [C]thou[G]sa[D]nd [G]gal[D]lons or [C]more
In [D]case we’d run short going to New [G]York
[D]far a[C]way from the [G]shamrock [D]shore.
So [D]fare thee well, sweet Liza [G]dear [D]
and like[C]wise unto [G/B]Derry [D]town
And [G]twice fare[Am]well to my [D]comrade boys
that [Am]dwell on that [G]sainted [Am]ground
If [G]fortune shall [Am]ever [D]favor me,
and [Am]I do have [G]money in [C]store
I’ll go [D]back and I’ll wed the wee lassie I left
on [C]Paddy’s green [G]shamrock [D]shore.
Oh at [D]six o'clock on that [D]morning fair
our [C]anchors [G/B]we did [D]weigh,
The [G]sun shone [Am]down on Ben[D]evassa’s rocks,
how [Am]splendid [G]he did [C]play,
And green [G]castles, [Am]ancient [D]fort and church,
oh it [Am]made my [G]heart so [C]sore,
But these [D]memorys still I will hold very dear
when I‘m a[C]way from the [G]Shamrock [D]Shore.
And then at [D]12 o'clock on that [D]evening fair
we [C]passed out [G/B]Malin [D]Head,
And then [G]Inishtra[Am]hull far [D]on to the right,
it [Am]rose of the [G]ocean [C]bed.
But a [G]grander [Am]sight we [D]all did see there,
that I [Am]never had [G]seen be[C]fore
It was the [D]sun going down between sea and sky,
far [C]out from the [G]Shamrock [D]Shore.
We sailed three weeks, we were all seasick,
not a man on board was free
We were all confined unto our bunks
and no-one to pity poor me.
No father dear nor mother kind
to lift up my head, which was sore
Which made me think more on the lassie I left
on Paddy’s green shamrock shore.
We safely reached the other side
after fifteen and twenty days,
We were taken as passengers by a man
and led round in six different ways,
Then each of us drank a parting glass,
in case we might meet no more
And we drank a health to old Ireland
and Paddy’s green shamrock shore.
In this video Matt shares his thoughts on using a capo, which is an essential helper when playing the bouzouki.
Robin Jones talks about exercises that might help you to get better. Even if you think you know a lot of exercises you might find something new here. So you really have a look at this.
Now here's a beautiful set of slipjigs played by Gregor Harvey. Keep an eye on his YouTube Channel too.
In this video Robin Jones talks about essential gear for Bouzouki players. A must-look at for beginners.
This weeks tune in Declan's "Practice with me" series is the reel "Pigeon On The Gate", in E-Dorian. Watch Declan finding an arrangement for this tune. By the way he shares some tips and tricks on finding counterpoint melodies.
