Robin is extremely busy at the moment. Here's his latest video lesson in which he shows how to play the Shaskeen Jig. This is part 1, you can buy part 2 from his website.
19 Jun 2024
13 Jun 2024
Robin Jones - Morrison's Jig
Robin is very busy producing Bouzouki lessons. They are well made and so useful. I love his way of teaching. Cannont recommend it enough. Check it out and buy part 2.
Here's the link to his youtube channel where you'll find more fantastic lessons.
Here's the tab I made:
9 Jun 2024
Robin Jones - Jig Picking Techniques on youtube
Robin Jones released a new tutorial video on youtube. Part 1 is free, you can buy part 2 for just 10 pounds which it is really worth. You get lots of tips and exercises which help you to play and accompany jigs. Even if you know how to play jigs I think you can learn a lot from these videos. Here's the link where you can buy part 2.
2 Jun 2024
Session in Cruise's, Ennis, May 29, 2024 - Eoin O'Neill and Clara Buteler
Lots of sessions in Ennis last week at the Fleadh Nua. This one's from Cruise's Bar.
Fleadh Nua 50 Riches of Clare at a crowded St. Columba’s Church featured Kieran Hehir, Kieran Kissane, Vincent Fogarty & James Duddy.
On May 28, 2024 Fleadh Nua 50 Riches of Clare at a crowded St. Columba’s Church featured Kieran Hehir, Kieran Kissane, Vincent Fogarty & James Duddy. Fantastic concert! I posted it on youtube unlisted, so you'll only find it here!
1 Jun 2024
Kevin Elam - Sally Gardens Reel - Playing melody by ear
Playing melody on the bouzouki. Kevin Elam teaches how to play the Sally Gardens.
Kevin Elam - Counterpoint Sally Gardens (G, Capo 5)
Kevin Elam posted a new video on youtube recently. He explains some ideas for counterpoint. As example he uses the Reel Sally Gardens. If you like it you might be interested in joining his patreon site.
I made a tab of some of his ideas. If you might want the whole tab as pdf just write me an email. You'll find the contact on the right side under "about me".
5 May 2024
Robin Jones - Plains Of Kildare - Andy Irvine
A new post by Robin Jones. This time a nice interpretation of Plains of Kildare which was made well known by Andy Irvine.
Unfortunately Robin deleted his video from youtube recently. :-(
Lyrics and chords from Ultimate Guitar:
[Verse 1] Dm C G Come all you bold sportsmen and listen to my story Dm C Dm It’s about noble Stewball that gallant racing pony Dm F/C C Arthur Marble was the man that first brought Stewball here F C G For to run with Miss Griesel on the Plains of Kildare. [Verse 2] Dm C G O the fame of his actions we’ve heard of before Dm C Dm But now he is challenged by young Mrs. Gore Dm F C For to run with Miss Griesel that handsome grey mare F C Dm For ten thousand gold guineas on the Plains of Kildare. Dm G [Verse 3] Dm C G And the cattle they were brought out with saddle whip and bridle Dm C Dm And the gentlemen did shout at the sight of the gallant riders Dm F C And in viewing the cattle just as they came there F C Dm O they all laid their money on the Monaghan grey mare. Dm G [Verse 4] Dm C G And the order it was given and away they did fly Dm C Dm Stewball like an arrow the grey mare passed by Dm F C If you had’ve been there for to see them going round F C Dm You’d’ve thought to your heart their feet ne’er touched the ground. Dm G [Verse 5] Dm C G And when at last they came to half way round the course Dm C Dm Stewball and his rider began to discourse Dm F C Says Stewball to the rider “Can you tell to me F C G How far is that grey mare this moment from me.” F G Dm [Verse 6] Dm C G Says the rider to Stewball “You run in great style Dm C Dm You’re ahead of the grey mare almost half a mile Dm F C And if you keep your running I vow and I swear F C G That you never will be beaten by the Monaghan grey mare.” F G Dm [Verse 7] Dm C G The last winning post, Stewball passed it quite handy Dm C Dm Horse and rider both called for sherry, wine and brandy Dm F C And they drank up a health to the noble grey mare F C G For she emptied their pockets on the Plains of Kildare. F/C: 5,3,0,0
18 Apr 2024
Wild Mountain Thyme - Robin Jones Tutorial
It seems that Robin is very busy doing tutorials at the moment. Here he shows his approach to the well known song Wild Mountain Thyme. The crosspicking pattern he shows can be used to accompany lots of more songs in 3/4 time. Even Daoiri Farrell uses it a lot, e.g. in his song Creggan White Hare.
This is part 1 of the tutorial. If you want to go further you can get it here.
Edit: I bought part 2 yesterday. I think, it's really worth it. You get 11 videos in which Robin shows and explains the arrangement line by line. Some of them are really short, where he plays one line, others are longer where he gives some tips for playing. In the last video he shows how to play this arrangement to a metronome, which is important to play in time. So I'd really would like to encourage you to buy this tutorial if you are interested in accompanying songs.
16 Apr 2024
Black is the Colour - Robin Jones - Trials of Cato
Another video Robin Jones posted on youtube. The classic song Black is the colour. He uses the arrangement of James Fagan. If you want to learn to play like this you might consider taking classes with Robin, he has some free slots at the moment.
This is how James Fagan plays it:
Now I tried to tab the Robin Jones version. Here's the intro. If you would like the pdf including the first verse please write me an email and I will gladly send it to you.
14 Apr 2024
600 000 views, wow!
This blog now has 600 000 views. Thanks a lot for your interest in the Irish Bouzouki.
I'm still looking for someone who would like to help me with this blog. Do you have any content, tabs or whatever has to do with the irish bouzouki please get in touch with me.
5 Apr 2024
Old Hag, You have killed me - Robin Jones Arrangement (Trials of Cato)
Robin plays a wonderful arrangement of the tune Old Hag... I tried to tab the first time round, hope I did a good job. If you want the whole tab please send me a email and I'll gladly send it to you for free.
Here's the website of Trials of Cato: https://www.thetrialsofcato.com/
Robin also gives lessons, if you are interested look at www.robinjonesmusic.com
4 Apr 2024
Viimaheim - Medievial Folk Music on the Irish Bouzouki
I haven't covered much medievial music on my blog. Mostly I'm into celtic music. This man captured my attention because I like his rhythmical style of playing. He tunes his bouzouki in ADAD, which I think most players of medievial music do.
His youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Viimaheim
Hej, Sokoły! (AKA Na zielonej Ukrainie) Slavic folk song Originally music by Maciej Kamieński
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Drink Up, There's More! Game: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (CD Project RED, 2015) Originally music by Marcin Przybyłowicz, Mikołaj Stroiński and Percival
Herr Manneling Scandinavian (Swedish) folk song
17 Mar 2024
Wild Mountain Thyme - Lindsay Straw
Lindsay has started her patreon page a few weeks ago. Now she released her first video on that platform. Her beautiful version of the well known song Wild Mountain Thyme. A lovely accompaniment with nice minor chords. On her patreon site you can download an audio version and a chordsheet. She also made a tab as far as I know. But you have to be a paid member. As far as I know this is her first content of bouzouki playing. Hope there will be lots more in the near future. But she also is a fantastic guitar player, so you might check her albums.
Lindsay on patreon:
You can listen to and buy her two albums on bandcamp:
And here is her website:
16 Mar 2024
Conor Connolly and Ruairi Mcgorman - Downing's house, Prosperous Music festival
This video is 8 years old, but I just found it on youtube. Box and Greek Bouzouki at their finest. 19 minutes pure joy. If you know the names of the tunes please comment!
2 Mar 2024
Accompanying in C-Major
Three possibilities to fret the chords C,F, G. This might be useful if you have the capo on 2nd fret and the next tune is in D. It's always good to know chord shapes which are placed together near, so they are easy to fret. It also sounds better if the accompaniment does not contain such large leaps in pitch.
The other chords you might need are Am and Dm which are:
Am: 2,2,3,0 | 2,2,0,2 | 5,7,7,0
Dm: 2,0,0,3 | 7,0,8,0 | 10,12,0,0
24 Feb 2024
Colin Farrell and Alan Murray - The Penny Coin Jig
Another tune I tabbed some time ago and just found on my harddisk. Alan Murray is one of the bouzouki players that inspires me a lot. I really enjoy his accompaniments. I can't remember where I found the abc to the tune, it seems it's not on thesession. The video is part of Colin Farrell's Tune a Day 2022 and it's Day 308
Here's my tab. First line Accompaniment, second line melody. If you would like the full pdf version click here
And don't forget to comment or you can buy me a beer.
19 Feb 2024
Three fine Bouzoukis for sale in Germany
Currently there are 3 handmade bouzoukis for sale on the German market. I don't know the luthiers who built them. If you know anything about them please comment.
13 Feb 2024
Gordon A Jackson - Sir Patrick Spence Intro
Another Tab I found on my harddisk. I tried to tab the intro to the Song Sir Patrick Spence released on his album "It's cold by the door" released in 2021. I think he plays it on a greek bouzouki.
7 Feb 2024
Most viewed posts in January 2024
This is a list of the most viewed posts in Jan 24. If you have missed one... It seems that most visitors just look for the latest posts and don't click on the links on the right. Might be a mistake (?) There are lots of things to discover if you have the time to browse through the older ones.
Nuadan (Macdara Ó Faoláin) - The Beautiful Goldfinch
Just found an old tab on my harddisk. Unfortunately I can't find a video or audio on the internet of the recording from Nuadan. So I had to upload it by myself. I uploaded it as unlisted, hope that's ok and Nuadan don't mind. This is from the first album by the band. It's not on spotify, apple music or bandcamp, so it might be difficult to get it, but it is definitely worth it.
Macdara's website: http://www.macdaraofaolain.com
But this is the tab I made some time ago. If you want the whole tab please click here.
If you download please comment!
Toormore Slide, An Chóisir, The Wedding Feast, The House Party - One tune, many names - Lots of chord possibilities
I always loved the Toormore Slide. Now I tried to collect some chord possibilities and I found a lot of them. Some are obvious, some might sound a bit strange. If you want try them and tell me which are your favourites.
Here's a version with whistle: Athas
A very slow Fiddle take by Mossie Martin
And a fast one by The Press Gang
4 Feb 2024
Lindsay Straw - Lurgy Stream (Traditional Irish Song on the Bouzouki)
Lindsay is a folk singer, guitar and bouzouki player based in Boston. She has released two solo albums and one album with The Ivy Leaf. Here's a video of her singing the trad song Lurgy Stream.
Her website: https://lindsaystraw.com
Bandcamp: https://lindsaystraw.bandcamp.com/album/the-fairest-flower-of-womankind
Lyrics and Chords:
When [G]to this [C]coun[G]try [C]I first [G]came,
my [F]mind from [C]love being [G]free
‘Til the [C]beauty of a [G]female [D]fair
it [C]so en[F]ticed [G]me
Her [C]cheeks were like the [G]roses [D]red
her [C]breath it [F]smelled per[G]fumed
Her [G]golden [C]hair [G]waved [C]in the air,
most [C]comely [F]to be [G]seen.
It being a Monday evening, my love I chanced to meet
I took her in my arms and gave her kisses sweet
I asked her if she would marry me or single would remain
And if she’d cross over the seas with me and leave sweet Lurgy Stream.
If I would cross over the seas with you, I might be much to blame
If I’d cross over the seas with you, and leave sweet Lurgy Stream
Young men are false and general, perhaps you are the same
You might leave me there to rue the day I left sweet Lurgy Stream.
Oh, that the sun it may withdraw, no more to show us light
And that the moon it may refrain, no more to rule the night
That the twinkling stars they may fall down and never more be seen
The day or the hour that I’d prove false when far from Lurgy Stream.
Farewell to Letterkenny, it’s a place of sport and fame
Likewise to Kilmacrennan that stands near Lurgy Stream
Farewell awhile to sweet Errigal, likewise to Swilly shore
Where I spent many’s a happy day, will I ever see you more?
By the way, here's another video of Lindsay playing "The bonny light horseman"
Daoiri Farrell - Bouzouki chords for beginners
Daoiri shows some basic chords for beginners. Just the basic chords, that's all, but helpful for starters.
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