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.
This is a one hour live performance of Beth Patterson, a fantastic bouzouki player from Louisiana.
"Beth Patterson is a versatile multi-instrumentalist from Lafayette, Louisiana, best known for her mastery of the eight- and ten-stringed Irish bouzouki. Described as a blend of "a cobra and a puppy," her performance style—which she calls "SWAP" (Songwriter/World/Acoustic/Progressive)—merges Celtic traditions with progressive rock and global ethnic influences.
Patterson's diverse background includes classical oboe, Cajun bass, and formal studies in ethnomusicology at University College Cork. Her prolific career spans nine solo albums and appearances on over 200 recordings. Her work has reached global audiences via the BBC and NPR, and she has performed in over 20 countries. Beyond the stage, she has contributed to film soundtracks (including The One-Eyed King) and even appeared in Spinal Tap II."
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This rediscovered 2004 interview from Belfast offers a rare and intimate look into the life of Dónal Lunny, a foundational figure who fundamentally reshaped the landscape of Irish traditional music. Spanning a career that began in the 1960s, the footage captures Lunny’s transition from a young musician in Tullamore to a visionary producer and founding member of legendary ensembles like Planxty and Moving Hearts.
The interview highlights Lunny’s role as a pioneer of musical evolution. Key themes include:
Instrumental Revolution: His discovery and adaptation of the bouzouki, which introduced a distinctive harmonic depth to Irish folk.
Iconic Collaborations: Insights into his work with heavyweights such as Christy Moore and The Clancy Brothers.
Evolution of Sound: His perspective on the shift from analog to digital recording and his unique philosophies on music production.
Beyond simple melodies, the discussion delves into Lunny’s commitment to social change. Through Moving Hearts, he helped merge traditional sounds with contemporary political messages, bridging the gap between folk roots and modern world music. His approach wasn’t just about preservation; it was about moving the genre forward while maintaining its soul.
For cultural historians and fans alike, this footage serves as a "masterclass" in Irish musical history. It documents the technical and artistic shifts that allowed Irish folk to survive and thrive in a modern context. Lunny’s story is more than a biography; it is a roadmap of how tradition can be innovated without being lost.
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Declan Plummer offers regularly practice videos where he shows his approach to accompanying tunes. They usually last for about two hours, a long time watch. But worth it. He also shows the software he uses and gives a lot of insights. This time he uses the Reel "The Otter's Holt", a well known session favourite.
As audio he uses a video by Olivia Barret, who kindly gave him permission to use her videos. Maybe you want to have a look at her bandcamp site.
Declan's Top Score Music Academy can be found here
Now this is an important lesson not only for newbies on the bouzouki. Lots of possibilities to play chords up the neck. Now let's practice! You'll find most of these and lots more on this blog here:
Another "Practice with me" Video from Duncan Cameron. He develops piece by piece an accompaniment for the tune "McIntyre's Fancy", a Jig in ADorian. He uses capo at 7th fret. The video he refers to is by Olivia Barrett.
Don't forget to have a look at his website: www.topscoremusicacademy.com
A short video about things to consider when going to an Irish Music Session. Worth a look.
There's no doubt about the huge influence that Donal Lunny had on Irish Folk Music during the last decades. This is a new video about Donal on YouTube.
Robin Jones recently released 2 new Lessons on YouTube. First a beginner video in which he explains some tips for achieving a more full sound while playing melody.
The second video shows a nice melody playing example for the well known Slipjig "The Butterfly".
As always: Part one is free to watch on YouTube. If you want to get access to part 2 you have to buy it from his website or subscribe to get access to all of the videos he released so far. This might be a good option if you haven't downloaded any videos or just a few so far.
