I always have problems losing my plectrum. I tried several things like cutting a hole in them, gluing cork or sandpaper on them, all worked, but a month ago I came across the SMI PlecPads. I bought a sampler pack of them and was overwhelmed. They really feel good and the plectrum does not slip anymore. There are different shapes available. The ones on the picture are the ones that work best for me, but you have to find out which ones are best for you.
They've got different thickness, and it seems different stickyness. I like the red and the black ones. The yellow ones feel a bit strange and I think they stick too much imo.
If you are interested here's their website. (I don't get anything from them!)
Daoiri Farrel introduces Justin Rogers Bouzoukis in County Wexford. He builds lovely bouzoukis, so have a look and listen to Daoiri plaing Van Dieman's Land.
If you're interested in his bouzoukis you can get write an email:
Now here are the chords for the song. Look at the video and try to play with him.
{t:The Galway Shawl} {st:Daoiri Farrel Version}
[A] from intro In Oran[D]more [D/F#] [G] in the County [A/C#]Galway [G]Early, [D]early [D/C#] [D/B] in the [D/A]month of [G]May [D5] [A] I spied a [D]damsel, [D/F#] [G]s o fair and [A/C#]handsome [G] Her beauty it [D/A]stol[Dsus4/A]e my heart a[D]way
{soc} She wore no jewels, nor costly diamonds No paint nor powder, no none at all But she worn a bonnet with ribbons on it And 'round her shoulders was the Galway shawl {eoc}
We kept on walking she kept on talking 'Till her fathers cottage came in to view Said she, 'Come in sir', and meet my father And play, to please him, 'The Foggy Dew'
She sat me down beside the hearthstone I could see her father he was six feet tall And soon her mother, had the kettle singing All I could think of, was the Galway shawl
{soc} She worn no jewels, nor costly diamonds No paint nor powder, no none at all But she worn a bonnet with ribbons on it And 'round her shoulders was the Galway shawl {eoc}
I played, 'The Black Bird', 'The Stack of Barley' 'Rodney's Glory' and 'The Foggy Dew' She sang each note like an Irish linnet And tears weld in her eyes of blue
'Twas early, early, all in the morning I hit the road for old Donegal Said she, 'goodbye sir', she cried and kissed me But my heart remain with the Galway shawl
{soc} She worn no jewels, nor costly diamonds No paint nor powder, no none at all But she worn a bonnet with ribbons on it And 'round her shoulders was the Galway shawl {eoc}
Inspired by Vince Jerrison's Video of "A bunch of Thyme" which I posted yesterday I tried to find another song in 4/4 on which to try some of these ideas. The first song I found was "Sam Hall". So this is what I came out with. Maybe I'll post a video at some time, have to practice first ;-)
He now has released a youtube video of him playing the song "That's Alright" from his album. The tab for the song is in the video so you can play along with him if you like. He uses some nice chords, by the way. And the album is really worth a listen.
I already posted the tab for the first tune in this set. Now here's the second tune, a reel called "The Cloonagrow". Here's the link to the tune in thesession.org: https://thesession.org/tunes/5408
Here's a video of Charles Monod on Concertina and Vincent Fogarty on Bouzouki. The first tune is The Battle of Aughrim. But it is a slightly different version of this well known march. It refers to the playing of Micho Russell. Lovely playing from both of them. The other tunes are The Cloonagroe (Reel) and Micho Russell's Mason's Apron (Reel).
I tried to tab the first round through the first tune.
If you want the whole tab in pdf form just write an email and comment.
Alan Reid posted a video of his backing of the tune Banish Misfortune on the bouzouki group on Facebook. I tried to tab the first round through the tune.
If you want the whole tab in pdf form just write an email and comment.
Here's the link to the video, but I think you need to have a facebook account and you have to be member of the bouzouki group to be able to watch the video.
Some months ago Alan started his Patreon page on which he regularly posts tutorials for bouzouki and banjo. If you pay 5€ per month you have access the the growing library of videos, Tabs etc. Up to now he posted tutorial videos which describe the style of Donal Lunny and Alec Finn (50 min!) and also 2 videos in which he gives lots of hints of how to accompany tunes in Mixolydian modes.
I first hesitated to join, but a few days ago I couln't resist and I have to say, it is really worth it. Can't wait for another video!
I spent a lovely folk workshop weekend in Texel, Netherlands. This is the teachers concert I filmed there. Luke Ward on his Sobell together with Brendan Mulholland on Flute and Aaron O'Hagan on Pipes. Great craic!
First the two videos that Aaron posted on his youtube channel:
The Hut on Staffin Island - Kiss the Maid behind the Barrel - Palmers Gate
Trip to Killavil - Scotsman over the Border - Health to the Ladies. Jigs special Guest: Rolf Wagels on Bodhran