TempoKey Studio by Declan Plummer - Free WebApp

 This free web-app by Declan Plummer lets you import Audio files, slow them down, pitch them up or down etc. So it's a nice tool for learning tunes. I just tried it and have to say, it has all the features you need. As it it a web app it works on Mac, PC, iOs and Android. 

You can try it for free here and maybe have a look at his other apps and his bouzouki courses as well.

Finger practice - independence of the fingers, left hand

 This is in German, but easy to understand. At first it is really difficult, but it might help to place the fingers more individually on the fretboard.

Red Haired Mary - Lesson by Johannes Broborn

 A new lesson by Johannes Broborn. The Song Red Haired Mary was written by Sean McCarthy. The song is also played by Dervish. Johannes teaches the version he plays.

The lyrics:

[Verse 1]
As I was goin' to the fair of Dingle one fine mornin' last July
A fine young man come up behind me "Red-haired Mary," he did cry
"Will you come with me my red-haired Mary, the donkey, he can carry two"
I looked at him, my eyes did twinkle, me cheeks they were a rosy hue
"Thank you kindly sir" I answered, then I tossed me light red hair
Says I, "Will you hold the donkey and I'll ride with you to the Dingle fair"
When we reached the town of Dingle, he caught me hand to say goodbye
When a tinker he pulled up behind him and hit him right in his left eye

[Refrain]
"Take your hands off red-haired Mary she and I are to be wed
We were with the priest this very morn, tonight we'll lie in our marriage bed"

[Verse 2]
Well, he was feeling very peevish, his poor eye was sad and sore
He kicked the tinker with his hobnails, knocked him through Tom Murphy's door
He galloped off to meet his father, the tallest man you e'er did see
He tapped him gently with his knuckles and now he's missin' two front teeth
Oh and I the happy cailín, "Man, with you I'll go," I said
"Never mind the priest this very morn, tonight we'll sleep in Murphy's shed"

[Verse 3]
Around the corner came a peeler, told him I had broke the law
The donkey kicked him on the kneecap, he fell down and broke his jaw
To the fair we roved together, his black eye and my red hair
Gazing gaily at the tinker, weren't we the happy pair?

[Refrain]
"Take your hands off red-haired Mary she and I are to be wed
We were with the priest this very morn, tonight we'll lie in our marriage bed"
"Take your hands off red-haired Mary she and I are to be wed
We were with the priest this very morn, tonight we'll lie in our marriage bed"

Robin Jones - New Lesson - 3 Polkas in ADAD tuning

 Robin Jones just released a new lesson. This time in ADAD tuning. 3 lovely well known polkas in a beautiful arrangement. To get the lesson go to his website here

Planxty played these Polkas in a set you can listen to it here.

The Complete Irish Bouzouki App by Declan Plummer

 Declan from Top Score Music Academy made a new web-app. In this video he shows how it works and what it can do. Have a look for yourself. If you tried it please comment what you think about it.

What is an Irish Bouzouki, Video by N.K. Forster

Nigel Forster is a well known Luthier who lives in New Zealand. For a long time he worked with Stefan Sobell and he learned a lot at that time. In this video he tells lots of interesting things about the Irish Bouzouki. Afterwards you can see some videos where musicians play his instruments. 

This video covers:
— Where the Irish bouzouki came from, and is it really English?
— The Sobell design: carved arched top, curved back, long scale
— Tonewoods: what works best for the instrument?
— The common tunings.
— Cheap vs expensive: why most affordable bouzoukis never sing, and what to actually buy if you're starting out