Piaras Ó Lorcáin - talented young bouzouki player and Singer

Piaras Ó Lorcáin is a 22 year old bouzouki player and sean nos singer and farm worker.  I just recently discovered him. What a voice he has! He did not make any recordings as far as I know but there are some videos on youtube and instagram.

The Valley of Knockanure live from Kinsale

Tijn Berends - Bouzouki learning material

 I once met Tijn at a workshop weekend in Texel, Netherlands. He's a fine bouzouki player and teacher. A few weeks ago he started posting some videos of tunes which he plays through, but without any explanation. So you have to figure out everything by yourself. This might be useful for advanced players.

Tbh I prefer instructional videos like those by Robin Jones where he teaches the tune bit by bit and then gives tips for ornamentation. But it might help to slow down the videos and watch them bit by bit to learn the tunes.

This is Calliope House

The Sally Gardens

The Kesh Jig

The Silver Spear

 

The Kerfunken

The Wind that Shakes The Barley

The Humours Of Glendart

The Bucks Of Oranmore

Daoiri Farrell - Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore Tab

Recently Daoiri gave a live concert on Facebook. One of the songs he played that evening was Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore. I tried to tab the Intro and first verse of his arrangement. Capo 1st fret.

Here's the video:

This is what the tab looks like. If you like the whole tab as pdf or .tef-file just write me an email.

{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 fare thee well sweet Liza dear and likewise to Derry town,
And twice farewell to me comrade boys who dwell on that sainted ground
If fortune it ever should favour me or I to have money in store
I’ll come back and I’ll wed the wee lassie I left on Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore

Well we sailed three days and we were all seasick, not a man on board was free
We were all confined unto our bunks with no one to pity poor me
No father dear nor mother kind to hold up me head when t’was sore,
Which made me think more on the lassie I left on Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore

Well we safely reached the other side in three and twenty days
We were taken as passengers by a man and led round in six different ways,
We each of us drank a parting glass in case we might never meet more,
And we drank a health to Old Ireland and Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore

Brent Matusik - Comparism Bouzouki vs. Octave Mandolin

Brent Matusik tries to compare both instruments. This is a discussion which is often heard. And what is the difference between Octave Mandolin and Short Scale Bouzouki? Well ...

Look at the video and maybe afterwards you might be a little bit more confused? 
In my opinion it is all about the tuning you use. Call it whatever you want.

New Bouzouki course for beginners - Luke Ward

 

Luke Ward, bouzouki player from Belfast just released a beginner's course on Patreon. It consists of 12 individual lessons where he covers first chords, some easy accompanyment ideas for the different modes (D, Dmix, Dm). After that he shows basic strumming patters to accompany reels, jigs and hornpipes. He finishes with 3 videos where he shows accompaniment ideas for each of the three tune types. Whereas the reel (Mountain Road) and jig (Humours of Glendart) accompanyments are very rudimental the hornpipe (Off to California) pattern has got an easy bass line and some more chords in it. 

If you are a beginner to the Irish Bouzouki you might consider taking a months membership for 16$ (without VAT). That's a fair price. It's easy to unsubscribe at any time. If you exercise every day you might be able to finish the course in around 4 weeks.

I hope Luke will consider to make a more advanced course like this in the near future.

Here's the link to the course:
https://www.patreon.com/c/IrishbouzoukiwithLukeWard