Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar – An Introduction – Tony McManus

In this lesson Tony McManus shows that, even at an introductory level, there’s much more to Celtic music than the slow airs and O’Carolan harp tunes that are so frequently arranged for guitar. With a bit of work the student can quickly be engaged in the core music of this repertoire. Tony takes us on a gentle but detailed exploration of the ornamentation- rolls, grace notes, triplets etc.- needed to really get inside this music.

Much of the Celtic idiom is dance music and is defined by the contrasting rhythms of reels, jigs, slip jigs etc. The Lark’s March is a great example of a simple yet attractive Irish jig. Tullochgorum is likewise a well known Scottish Strathspey (a dance unique to Scotland). Often overlooked is the Celtic music from outside of Ireland and Scotland and here Tony teaches us one of his favorite Breton tunes; a Wedding Gavotte – the structure of which is very common in the music of this region.

Not to be overlooked, of course, are the slow airs and O’Carolan tunes! Turlough O’Carolan’s (1670- 1738) music forms a unique facet of the Irish repertoire. All that survives of the harpists work are single line melodies so the harmonic accompaniment is a blank slate. Here we are shown a very accessible arrangement of what is thought to be his first composition – Si Bheag Si Mhor. Also included is the enigmatic air Paddy’s Rambles Through The Park- a tune from the Donegal fiddle tradition associated with Johnny Doherty, a key figure in that music.

By working through this material the student will have a grasp of the variety and beauty of music that has been played in an unbroken chain for centuries.

Titles include: Paddy’s Ramble Through The Park, I’m Asleep, Don’t Awaken Me, Si Bheag Si Mhor, The Lark’s March, Tullochgorum, Breton Wedding March and The Butterfly .