New Course on OAIM: Bouzouki Progressions

OAIM has just released a new course for Bouzouki. Here's a teaser:




I just subscribed and will try it within the next days. You can subscribe here:
www.oaim.ie

I finished watching the whole course now. If you followed the two first bouzouki courses you can easily follow this new course. It starts really easy with the well known Reel "The mountain road". Nothing really new here but worth trying. During the next courses Alan will take you to a new level of bouzouki playing, especially in the last courses (7-13). You'll learn more about counter melody, cross picking and some nice chord shapes.
All in all I can really recommend this course. I think one month should be enough to work through the courses which would cost 19.95€, that's less than 2€ per course which is really worth it. And btw, if you subscribe you also have access to all the other courses on OAIM, so why not have a look at all these lovely tunes and don't forget the virtual sessions and the play along tracks.

Finger gymnastics by Vincent Fogarty

Some days ago I got in contact with Vincent Fogarty, a bouzouki player from Tipperary, Ireland. Some yeas ago he recorded an album with a band called The Red Wellies. It can be found here:

https://myspace.com/redwelliesirish/music/songs

or here:
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/redwellies

or here:
http://celticgrooves.homestead.com/cg_red_wellies.html

At the bottom I will include some videos of the Red Wellies.


Vincent sent me some short video clips in which he shows some finger exercises. He kindly allowed me to post them here, too. Many thanks, Vincent!

He writes about these exercises:

These are exercises I did every day for about six months about 25 years ago. They are challenging but the results are well worth the work. The idea is to start slow and get the notes clear and in time. Keep your pick tight to the string don’t make your movements too big. This will do wonders for your pick and finger coordination. The exercises can be done as four finger three finger or two finger using any end of the fretboard as the start. Starting yesterday I’ve decided to do these again over the next few months. If you think they would be good to post then do so that’s fine by me. Good luck with them.

Clip No. 1



He writes about this clip:

In the first clip I have my capo at the 7th fret. I start with my pinky on the 15th fret of my highest string Start with a down stroke then an up stroke then down then up etc. alternating. Tab is. 15-14-13-12. When you get to fret 12 place your pinky finger on fret 14 then play from there in descending frets/notes. Tab 14-13-12-11 etc until you get to your capo. Then March your fingers back up the frets to 15. Then descend on the next highest string starting with your ring finger on the 14th fret. Pay attention to your picking here. Then descend on that string then the next string then the next string. Then you can start on the lower course and work your way high. 

Clip No. 2




He writes about this clip:

In this clip I play a four note exercise that moves vertically on the fretboard. When you get to the bottom series of 15-14-13-12 you put your pinky on fret 14 which moves your hand one fret then you descend vertically. When you get to the top 14-13-12-11 you place your pinky on the 13 fret and this moves your hand forward again etc.

Clip No. 3




This clip refers to video 2. Vincent writes about it:

This is what my right hand looks like. Start att of the exercises with a down stroke.


Clip No. 4




Vincent writes about this exercise:

This exercise is a linear moment that also descends and ascends.


Clip No. 5




Vincent writes about this exercise:


This exercise is good for developing finger strength and control of your pinky. It’s a two note run starting lower and ending at the fifteenth fret.


Clip No. 6



I did this as a three finger exercise. It also has a linear movement. I’ve also moved the capo to fret five so as to have more fretboard. As I move I also alternate fingers. Pointer finger ring finger pinky frets 689. Then I move too the next lowest string and use fingers pointer middle finger and pinky on frets 7810. I alternate this pattern as I descend and ascend.


Clip No. 7





Vincent writes:

Hi Frank the last clip is my right hand. I’m trying to show how tight I keep the pick to the strings.

The clips I sent will help with your speed but they are more so directed at pick/finger coordination.



The Red Wellies:

Here are some videos I found on youtube:


The Red Wellies play Dr. O'Neill's and Tom Billy's at a house concert in Atlanta:

Beanie Odell -Fiddle Duncan Wickel -Fiddle Vincent Fogarty -Bouzouki




Carter Center farmers market, freedom Parkway



A set of favorite reels:The Road to Garrison (composed by Maurice Lennon-also commonly known as The Godfather);House of Hammil (Ed Reavy);Hounds of Letterfrack (might really be Martin O'Connor's Clog)

Darren Lynch - Bouzouki Lesson #3

Darren Lynch gives us another bouzouki lesson. In #3 he discusses G-Modal and explains some basic chords for accompaniment in G and Gminor.

Irish Bouzouki Method by Roger Landes

So here's a new Bouzouki Book which will help the beginner to get in touch with our beloved instrument. I ordered it via Amazon, it took some time but finally it arrived. The book has got 48 pages and no CD, therefore it's only 7,95€ which is a really fair price. But don't worry, the audio files which go along with the book can be heard and downloaded from the website of the publisher (halleonard.com/mylibrary). Just fill in the Enter Code from within the book and here you go.

The book itself is aimed to the absolute beginner. It starts with an introduction on the bouzouki, it's anatomy, playing position, left and right hand and tuning. A short introduction on music notation, tablature and time signatures. That's pages 1-12.

After that you'll find some open-string studies with different pickings and one page on the fretboard.

On page 18 you'll find an introduction to Double Jigs (6/8 time). Lots of exercises which bring the jig rhythm to the beginner, which isn't easy for them. But after all the studies you should understand the jig rhythm when finished page 21.

And off it goes with the first tune, a jig called "The Kinnegad Slashers". First you have the chance to learn to play the melody on your bouzouki. Then follows the accompaniment. I really like the way Roger develops the accompaniment. First he drones without chord changes. This gives a feeling for the melody and the changes in it. After four different sorts of Droning he starts to build up the rhythm, step by step, also only with droning. Really interesting! After you have tried 6 different rhythmic drones there comes an exercise with simple chords. And that's really simple chords. By the way - you won't learn many chords in this book. But that's ok.
Right after the chords follows the first introduction to counterpoints which leads to another simple chord progression. Two more counterpoint exercises and that's it for the first tune.

What I miss after that is a hint to other tunes which can be accompanied with the things just learned.

Second tune is a reel called "The sunny banks" and it is almost the same way of exercises.

Third tune is a slip Jig "Drops of brandy". This one is in the key of G. First without capo and then with capo on the 5th fret, now you can use everything you learned before.

The last tune is a reel in Em "Dunmore Lasses". Here only two chord exercises, that's all.

So for a very good price you get a well thought book for the absolute beginner. If you play the bouzouki for some time give it a try for the later exercises. I'm pretty sure you'll find some new thoughts on how to play the bouzouki.

All in all I really like the way Roger concentrates on the playing of the right hand. Most teachers concentrate on chords and on the left hand. If you want that buy another book or the fantastic DVD by Zan McLeod.

More information:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/news/publish/mandolins_001680.shtml

http://www.amazon.com/Hal-Leonard-Irish-Bouzouki-Method/dp/1423479637

Online Academy Of Irish Music

Did you ever thought of learning your instrument with an online teacher? Here's the possibility. The Online Academy Of Irish Music offers several courses for instruments used in Irish Folk Music. Look here: http://oaim.ie

These are the offered courses and tutors:

* Bodhrán Tutor: Brian Flemming
* Bouzouki Tutor: Billy Mag Fhloinn, Alan Reid
* Concertina Tutor: Ernestine Healy
* Fiddle Tutor: Majella Bartley
* Flute Tutors: Kirsten Allstaff, Majella Bartley,Niall Keegan
* Song Tutor: Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh
* Tin Whistle Tutor: Thomas Johnston
* Uilleann Pipes Tutor: Mikie Smyth
* Piano Tutor: Stephen Markham

Here is the chance to watch some free lessons:
http://oaim.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=56



I did not subscribe but watched the free lessons and think they are great. If you subscribe please leave a comment if you think it's a good offer or not.

Beth Patterson explains the tuning of a Bouzouki

In this video Beth Patterson explains the tuning GDAD of her bouzouki. She gives some examples of the advantages of this tuning.



On this video she sings a few songs and talks to her students


Here' s the song Apona


The song Quicksilver


The White Hare of Howden


Musique a Bouche


Look at: http://www.artistshousemusic.org/videos/musician+beth+patterson+on+tuning+and+playing+the+bouzouki