This morning I put together a little video in which I tried to explain my transitions of Matt Heaton's approach to accompanying tunes in A-Dorian. I hope this helps understanding my writings in the previous post.
3 Feb 2026
Matt Heaton - Accompanying Tunes in A-Dorian - My answer video A-Dorian on the Irish Bouzouki (GDAD)
2 Feb 2026
Matt Heaton - Tipps for Accompanying in A Dorian
Matt explains this matter for guitar, but it can be transferred to Bouzouki (GDAD) as well. These are my thoughts while looking at Matt's video. I wrote that in German, but I hope you can follow these thoughts. You may not understand my writings, if you don't watch the video, I think.
Rowan Piggott & Charlie Piggott - The Fairhaired Boy & Scatter The Mud (Jigs)
10 Nov 2025
Jimmy Ward's Jig - Matt & Shannon Heaton - Tab second round through the tune
A beautiful, well known Jig here played by Shannon Heaton, backed by her husband Matt on bouzouki. This is the warmup Jig at this VGS from Nov. 19, 2023. Delicate playing from Matt with lovely countermelody and second voicings. Jig starts approx. at 6:46.
A few days ago I posted a tab for the first round through the tune, here's the tab for the second round through.
16 Sept 2025
Matt Heaton - Thoughts on accompanying Polkas
Matt Heaton posted a series of bouzouki videos on YouTube some time ago. I can highly recommend these to any bouzouki player. There are videos on different keys, rhythms and chord overviews. One type of tune that is often overlooked is the polka. In this video,
Matt shows his approach to accompanying polkas. Since the bouzouki tends to vibrate due to its double strings, it is not advisable to play too loudly. Here, he shows a way to play more delicately and emphasise the rhythm. The emphasis here is more on the second beat. This results in a slightly bouncing rhythm.
Matt Heaton - Chord Overview - Chords in the key of G
Interestingly, most people visit the chord page here on the blog. Perhaps this great video by Matt Heaton gets a little lost in the shuffle. In this video, he shows chord shapes in the key of G major. Many chords are close together, making them easy to play. I posted the information on the video about four years ago. Perhaps you'd like to watch it again.
Matt has published several videos on chords and tunes on youtube. Just look for "Backer Corner Bouzouki" and you'll find lots of good instructional videos he made.
Here's a list of his Backer Corner videos (Bouzouki and Guitar )
If you find this useful you can buy me a pint.
15 Sept 2025
Matt Heaton - The Black Rogue Tab
Matt and Shannon's session was great fun again. They played some well-known tunes as well as some lesser-known ones. Matt played his bouzouki on three sets. Today I tried to pick out his arrangement for the jig ‘The Black Rogue’. In the first run-through, he mainly uses an open A chord (x707) in the A section. He also accompanies with beautiful bass lines.
The tune starts at 19:14
You can download my tab here:
If you find this useful you can buy me a pint.
14 Sept 2025
Matt Heaton - Collected Bouzouki Tabs for GDAD
The Maid Behind The Bar - Reel
Poll Halfpenny - Hornpipe
A Fig For A Kiss - SlipJig
Joe Bane's - Barndance
Otter's Holt - Reel
Haunted House - Jig
Lord Mayo - March
Inis Here - Waltz by Shannon Heaton
Sean South Of Garryowen - March
Ger The Rigger - Polka
Song Of The Chanter - March
The Wren - An Dro
The Black Rogue - Jig
Jimmy Ward's - Jig
30 Jan 2023
Matt and Shannon Heaton - The Maid behind the Bar - Tab
On January 21st Virtual Guided Session Matt and Shannon played the Set "Maid behind The Bar" and "Sally Gardens". The Set starts approx. at 46:35.
Today I made a little tab for the bouzouki accompanyment. I did not try to tab all the high notes correctly, but concentrated on the bass notes. If you listen to what Matt plays you'll get it, I think.If you want the whole tab just write me an email and comment here. (Melody is in the second line!)
29 Sept 2022
Matt Heaton - Poll Halfpenny Chord ideas for guitar and my answer video for bouzouki
Matt Heaton made another one in his great Backer Corner series. This is a hornpipe you really have to know before backing it.
While watching I thought about how I would back it on the bouzouki. The tune is in A, not my favourite key on the bouzouki, but I wanted to try it anyway. All I wanted to do was to find the chord shapes Matt uses on the bouzouke. So I figured out two ways of accompanying and made an answer video to Matt's.
Here's Matt's video:
And this is my answer bouzouki video. Please be kind to me, this is my very first instructional video and I did it without any practicing beforehead. Hope this is helpful.
18 Sept 2022
Matt Heaton - Backer Corner - How to accompany Polkas
Matt just posted another video in his Backer Corner series. This time he talks about backing polkas. I think his series is definitely one of the best tutorials available at the moment. So have a look at it.
If you are not familiar with Matt Heaton up to now look for Matt & Shannon Heaton on google and youtube. You'll find plentyful of good music and information. They do Slow Sessions on youtube and Shannon published some fine books on Irish Music. https://shannonheatonmusic.com
15 Feb 2022
Matt Heaton - Bouzouki Workshop for absolute beginners
Matt did it again. Now he released a short workshop for absolute beginners. The first simple chord shapes and strumming patterns. He shortly after released part 1.5 with some additional patterns in 6/8.
1 Sept 2021
Matt Heaton - Accompanying Slides
Just found the time to make a little tab for this tutorial by Matt Heaton. In this series he talks about accompanying slides. He takes the DUDUDU - Jig Rhythm as basis and omits some parts. He ends up with D_DU_U|D_DU_U| etc.
This is how it looks in Tab:
The last bar is a little variation for endings.




