A live concert of Seán Dagher playing his Foley Bouzouki and singing lots of well known and lesser known songs.
This is the setlist stolen from youtube:
Setlist
1:38 - South Australia
5:53 - Renzo
9:39 - Star of the County Down
14:25 - Hanging Johnny
18:19 - Maggie Mae
23:04 - Captain Kidd
28:00 - Le Capitaine de Saint-Malo
32:40 - Mary Ellen Carter
38:19 - Captain Ward
43:07 - Liverpool Judies
47:33 - Leave Her Johnny
1:10:56 - General Taylor
1:14:06 - Stormalong
1:16:17 - The Dreadnought
1:19:45 - Rio Grande
1:23:36 - Little Boy Billee
1:27:55 - Red Iron Ore
1:36:14 - Blow the Man Down
1:38:45 - Press Gang
1:41:42 - Blow Boys Blow
1:45:33 - Wellerman
Robin Jones‘ new lesson is online now. A wonderful arrangement of the Slipjig „The Butterfly“. Part 1 is available on YouTube, part 2 can be bought from his website.
This is not the first time I try to find some people who like to help me making my blog better. Until now no one answered!!!
This blog could be much better if I was not alone in collecting the content, making tabs etc. I think, every one of you, dear readers, has some ideas or skills which could help other players of the bouzouki in getting better or in understanding different topics a bit better.
If you benefit from my work (and I spent many hours in making all this content) please consider sending me your best tips, tabs you made, songsheets etc to I can post them here. Of course your name will be published with your content!
Also:
If you can imagine writing posts for my blog yourself (bouzouki-related, of course), I would be delighted if you would contact me. I would be happy to fill the blog with content together with a team.
And if you benefit from my blog but don't fell you could publish something you maybe might think about supporting my work by buying me a coffee or a pint.
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.
Once again the script I made yesterday:
Main Chords: Am, G also Em and C
Main Chords:
Am: 2,2,0,2
G: 0,0,2,0 or 0,0,2,5 or 0.5.5.0
Em: 4,2,2,5 or 4,2,2,2 or x,2,2,2
C: 5,5,3,0 or 0,2,3,0
A: Part:
Am | G | Em | Em-G
Am | G | Em | G-Am
or
Am | G | C-G/B | Em |
Am | G| C-G/B | Em-Am |
Run C, G/B, G
C: 5,5,3,0
G/B: 4,5,5,0 oder 4,5,2,0
G: 0,0,2,0 oder 0,5,5,0
Higher chords:
Am: 5,7,7,7
G: 0,5,5,0 oder 4,5,5,5 oder 4,5,5,0
connect with C and Em
more chords:
Am: 9,10,0,7
G: 0,9,10,0
Em: 9,9,10,0
they fit together well
Run C, G/B, G
C: x,10,7,0
G/B: x,9,10,0
G: x,5,5,0
Run: C, G, Am:
C: x,10,7,0
G: x,9,10,0
Am: x,7,7,0 oder x,7,7,7
Tip for B-Part:
Start with D instead of Am! (D5!) - does not work always!!!
D: 7,7,0,0
G: 0,5,5,0 oder 0,9,10,0
It works because D also includes A which is in the melody as well.
F-Chord
this works sometimes. In this tune there is no F in the melody. But you may use it in the B-Part, maybe in the repeat.
Am | G | Em | G |
Am | G | Em | G-Am|
F | F | G | G |
Am | G | Em | G-Am |
F: 2,3,3,0
G: 4,5,5,0
Am: 2,2,3,0 oder 5,7,7,0
Another way of playing Am:
Am: 5,7,7,0
you might want to play it together with G: 4,5,5,0 and Em: 4,2,2,2 or 4,2,2,5 or maybe 0,2,2,2
So these are the tricks I found out while watching Matt's video. If you have other ideas I would be glad if you could send them to me. I would really appreciate your thoughts and would love to post them here on my blog.
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.
Hauptakkorde: Am, G auch Em und C
Akkorde:
Am: 2,2,0,2
G: 0,0,2,0 oder 0,0,2,5
Em: 4,2,2,5 oder 4,2,2,2 oder x,2,2,2
C: 5,5,3,0 oder 0,2,3,0
A: Part:
Am | G | Em | Em-G
Am | G | Em | G-Am
oder
Am | G | C-G/B | Em |
Am | G| C-G/B | Em-Am |
Lauf C, G/B, G
C: 5,5,3,0
G/B: 4,5,5,0 oder 4,5,2,0
G: 0,0,2,0 oder 0,5,5,0
Akkorde in hohen Lagen:
Am: 5,7,7,7
G: 0,5,5,0 oder 4,5,5,5 oder 4,5,5,0
diese Akkorde mit C und Em verbinden
weitere Akkorde:
Am: 9,10,0,7
G: 0,9,10,0
Em: 9,9,10,0
diese passen gut zusammen!
Lauf C, G/B, G
C: x,10,7,0
G/B: x,9,10,0
G: x,5,5,0
Lauf: C, G, Am:
C: x,10,7,0
G: x,9,10,0
Am: x,7,7,0 oder x,7,7,7
Tipp für B-Part:
Statt mit Am beginnen mit D! (Aber D5) - funktioniert nicht immer!!!
Also D: 7,7,0,0
dann G: 0,5,5,0 oder 0,9,10,0
funktioniert, da in D auch A enthalten ist und Melodie viel A beinhaltet.
F-Chord
kann manchmal funktionieren. In diesem Tune kommt kein F vor.
Im B-Part aber möglich, evtl in der Wiederholung:
Am | G | Em | G |
Am | G | Em | G-Am|
F | F | G | G |
Am | G | Em | G-Am |
F: 2,3,3,0
G: 4,5,5,0
Am: 2,2,3,0 oder 5,7,7,0
Here's a video for you to practice:
Rowan Piggott & Charlie Piggott - The Fairhaired Boy & Scatter The Mud (Jigs)
A few days ago he made a live session for his contributers on YouTube. He chose a YouTube video of a fiddler playing the tune and works out an accompaniment on the go.
It's a really long video. If you only want to look at the results start at approx. Minute 43. Before that he listens to the tune, works out the key, transposes it to ADor and tries out some chords.
He uses a lot of apps I don't know, which I have to find out if they might be helpful for me.
He always uses the actual played chord names which makes it a bit difficult to understand. In my opinion it would be easier to use the chord names of the chord shapes which are used. E.G. when capo is on 7th fret the chord you hear is Aminor, but the shape is that of Dminor. So if you know the chords which are usually used for Dmin it it much easier to follow. But that's only my point of view.
Luke Ward released two new Lessons on his Patreon page yesterday. Accompaniment to the song "Reconciliation" from the album of his band "Tempest" and an accompaniment to the tune "Molly Ban". If you join his Patreon, you will also have access to many more lessons. These top class lessons are intended for advanced players who already have some basic knowledge of accompanying tunes. But there are also lessons available for beginners.https://www.patreon.com/c/IrishbouzoukiwithLukeWard/posts?vanity=IrishbouzoukiwithLukeWard
A lovely version of this Liz Carroll tune here played by Fuar. I can't find any information about the band online. They released an album called "Music in the glen" which you can find on Spotify and Apple Music.
This is what my tab of the bouzouki part looks like. If you like you can download the full tab here:
Anders Lillebo (Piano Accordion) plays his own composition "The Waystone" beautifully accompanied by an unknown 10 string Bouzouki player. If you know his name please put him in the comments.
A lovely video of Concertina and Bouzouki. Liam and Killian playing a Maurice Lennon composition "Tribute to Larry Reynolds". https://thesession.org/tunes/12406
I know, I'm a bit late with this. Daoiri Farrell will be holding a workshop where he is teaching his version of "The Foggy Dew". He writes about this:
What we’ll cover:
40 minutes — the foundations of the tune
Approach, rhythm, accompaniment ideas, and structure.
20 minutes — live Q&A.
This workshop is aimed at players who want to deepen their understanding of accompaniment and song-based bouzouki playing in an Irish traditional context.
It's going to be online (Zoom).
There are unlimited places so please get in touch (on my Facebook music account) to secure a place.
If you don't have Facebook and want to take part just contact me and I'll help.
Bouzouki and Flute, my favourite combination, here in a lunchtime concert for UCC TradSoc. Would be great if someone has the time to post the names of the tunes in the comments.
I found this recording on my harddrive. Tom Oakes sent it to members of a flute workshop some time ago. I love his bouzouki accompaniment here. So I tried to tab it.
Tijn Berends will be online with a bouzouki workshop soon. Here's some info from the website of Tune Supply:
The bouzouki is a highly versatile instrument, suitable for energetic, rhythmic backing, for subtle counterpoint, and even for melody. Good backing is sculpted to the contours of the rest of the music, adding energy to lift up the tune, leaving room where it is needed, and generally building a framework for the melody instruments to latch on to.
In this workshop, we’ll use a few pre-recorded tunes to hone our listening skills, identifying what kind of flow the tunes have, what twists and turns they suggest in the harmony, and where they call for accents, hops, and other funky ornaments.
Instructor: Tijn Behrends
Who's this for: Bouzouki
Level: Intermediate
Will this class be taught by ear, with sheet music, or both? Both
Cost: Pay what it's worth to you. (The checkout page defaults to $25, but that's not the suggested price...choose what works for you. Thanks!)
Video: Registered students will receive the class recording immediately after the class, so feel free to sign up even if you can't attend live.
About Tijn:
My name is Tijn Berends. For those lacking in Dutch fluency: 'Tijn' vaguely rhymes with 'tine' (the thing at the end of a fork). If you make it rhyme with 'pidgeon', I will do my best to smile through the tears. I started playing the harmonica some twenty years ago, but a bunch more instruments have accumulated in my house since then; a concertina (which to me is basically a harmonica with an artificial lung), and a big family of string instruments, the Irish bouzouki being their pater familias. I play trad music in different settings, ranging from the weekly sessions to a big, Riverdance-like theatre ensemble. I also compose my own tunes, which has the big advantage that I can invent my own names for them ('Bacon Pancakes Are The Most Tastiest Food In The Entire World' is one of my favourites, though the translation doesn't really do justice to the poetic Dutch original).
I think/hope you all know OAIM - The Online Academy Of Irish Music. They offer lots of lessons for various instruments in Irish Music. All that for a monthly fee of around 20€, that's a fair price. And you can cancel your membership at any time.
Once a year they offer a month free of charge. So this might be your chance to get into it and have a look at all the lessons they offer, and that's a lot. And if you cancel your membership within the first month they won't charge you anything. Ain't that a fair offer. So hurry and subscribe!
Just go to the website, select monthly plan. To get the free offer use the promotional code
This is not a complete Bouzouki CD, but there will be some bouzouki playing to be heard on this second Album by Caroline. I met her several times on my visits to Dingle in the pas years. She's a fantastic concertina player. If you don't know her first CD please give it a listen.
Now she is on her way to the second Album which might be even better. So please consider backing her project on kickstarter. Here's the link:
Here are two videos of her and Tom Delaney which I recorded in Dingle last summer.
This is what Caroline writes about her project:
Hi everyone, I’m so excited to share my new solo album with you and invite you to be part of it through this Kickstarter. This collection means a lot to me. Each piece represents a pivotal moment in my journey as an artist, a chance to pause, reflect, and think about what’s ahead. I feel incredibly lucky to be working with some of the most talented and generous musicians in the traditional music scene. Their creativity and passion have lifted this project in ways I couldn’t have imagined, and I’m deeply grateful for their contributions. It’s been five years since my debut album SHINE. Life has been full, marriage, the birth of our two little ones, Chloe and Turlough, and everything in between. Musically, I’ve been exploring new paths too. Supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta, I’ve been researching and responding artistically to music from the place I now call home, Corca Dhuibhne. A Traditional Arts Bursary kindly bestowed by The Arts Council also allowed me to dive into the concertina’s potential as an accompaniment instrument. Both projects contribute material to this new collection. Motherhood has brought its challenges but also a huge burst of energy, creativity, and passion. I feel more driven than ever to make art, collaborate, and share music that’s honest, creative and plain old giddy.
This album explores themes close to my heart: strong women, family, resilience, self-advocacy, stepping into my voice as an artist, and leading by example for my kids. I hope it will take you on the journey with me through moments of laughter, elation, loss, and resilience. I’m lucky to be collaborating with amazing creatives: musicians Steve Cooney, Ryan Molloy, Conal O’Kane, Edwina Guckian, Tom Delany, and Eamonn Murray; videographer Mickey Kelly; artist Karen Sherwood; graphic designer Ross Curran; and sound engineer Donogh Hennessy. Their dedication and creativity inspire me every day. I’m still shaping the artwork and can’t wait to share it with you. By backing this project, you’ll get early access to the album, limited-edition merchandise, and even a chance to attend a private concert. It’s also the perfect opportunity to grab a gift for the music lover in your life: Albums, collector’s items, original compositions, or even concertina lessons. Most importantly, you’ll be helping an independent artist bring this project to life. Thank you for listening, coming to shows, and supporting independent music. You make this possible, and I’m endlessly grateful.
As you can't listen to only one tune of the album on bandcamp I uploaded the first part of the jig to youtube so you can have a listen to what it sounds like.
“The Unquiet Grave” is a centuries-old ballad, believed to date back to at least the 17th century, and catalogued as Child Ballad 78 and Roud 51. Deeply rooted in the British and Irish folk tradition, it explores themes of grief, love beyond death, and the danger of clinging to the past.
The song tells the story of a mourner who sits at the grave of a lost lover for “a twelve-month and a day.” On that final day, the ghost of the deceased speaks, asking the mourner to move on, warning that excessive grief “will not let me sleep.” The mourner asks for one final kiss, but the ghost replies that such a kiss would be fatal. The song ends with a bittersweet truth: even the strongest love must yield to death and decay.
Daoirí Farrell recorded this haunting ballad on his 2016 album True Born Irishman. His version features a sparse, atmospheric arrangement with pipes, whistle, cello, and banjo, capturing the ethereal tone of the lyrics. Farrell’s expressive voice brings emotional depth to the ancient dialogue, offering a powerful meditation on mourning, memory, and the limits of love across the boundary between life and death.
I couldn't find a live version of Daoiri singing this song with only bouzouki backing. So here is the album version.
{t:The Unquiet Grave}
{st:Daoiri Farrell}
Oh, the [D]Wind doth [G]blows [Em]today my [A]love
[G]A few small [D]drops of [A]rain
And [D]never have I [A]had but [D]one true [G]love
Now In [D]cold clay [A]she is [D]lain[D/G][D]
And I'll [D]do as [G]much for my [Em]own true [A]love
[G]As any [D]young man [A]will
I'll [D]sit all [A]on my [D]true loves [G]grave
For [D]twelve months [A]and a [D]day [D/G][D]
At [D]twelve [G]months and a [Em]day being [A]gone
A [G]voice it [D]spoke from the [A]deep
"Who [D]is it [A]sits all [D]on my [G]grave
And [D]will not [A]let me [D]slee[D/G]p?"[D]
Oh, tis [D]I, tis [G]I, my [Em]own true [A]love
That [G]sits all [D]on your [A]grave
I [D]crave one [A]kiss from [D]your sweet [G]lips
And [D]that is [A]all I [D]crav[D/G]e[D]
"Well if you [D]had one [G]kiss from my [Em]clay cold [A]lips
My [G]breath it is [D]earthly [A]strong
And [D]had you but one [A]kiss from [D]my cold [G]lips
You're [D]time on [A]earth would soon be [D]done[D/G]"[D]
Oh my [D]time being [G]long, or my [Em]time being [A]short
[G]Tomorrow [D]or to[A]day
[D]May God in [A]heaven take [D]all of my [G]soul
For I'll [D]kiss your [A]lips of [G]clay
See [Em]down in [A]yonder [G9]garden [A]fair
[Em]Where we [G9]used to [A]walk
Oh, the [D]sweetest [A]flower that [D]ever did [G]grow
Is [D]withered [A]to the [D]stal[D/G]k[D]
And that [D]stalk is [G]withered [Em]dry now my [A]love
[G]And so our [D]hearts they must de[A]cay
So [D]make your[A]self con[D]tent, now my [G]love
Until [D]God takes [A]you aw[D]ay."[D/G][D]
Oh, the [D]wind doth [G]blow t[Em]oday my [A]love
A [G]few small [D]drops of [A]rain
And [D]never have I [A]had but [D]one true [G]love
Now In [D]cold clay [A]she is [G]lain [D]
If you copy these lyrics and import them into an lyrics and chords app like Songbook you can see the chords above the lyrics, transpose etc. In the Songbook app you can define Bouzouki as instrument and it has chords implemented so you can see how to play them. You even can define your own chords, which is really handy sometimes. The app is available for most platforms.
Over the years, I have made and collected several tabs and chord sheets from Daoiri Farrell. Over the last 10 years, he has undoubtedly become one of Ireland's most influential singers.
I first met him in 2011 at a weekend workshop and was impressed by his manner and musicality. At the time, he was still relatively unknown and had just released his first CD, which I had to purchase immediately.
I still have a video of him playing my bouzouki made by Heiner Dreizehnter and singing the song ‘Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore’. I had requested this song because he had sung it at the ceilidh the night before. You can also find this video on YouTube.
