Accompanying Irish Music on Guitar Book/CD

Accompanying Irish Music on Guitar Book/CD by Frank Kilkelly is a practical guide to developing effective guitar accompaniment for traditional Irish dance music, supplied with the companion recording that demonstrates the techniques and styles covered in the book.

Written for players who already have a basic knowledge of guitar chords and strumming, no previous knowledge of Irish traditional music is assumed. The book explores the different elements that combine to create an accompaniment style, including tuning, chord choice, strumming and picking patterns, tone, plectrum technique, attack and rhythm.

Four guitar tunings are covered: standard tuning, dropped D (DADGBE), double dropped D (DADGBD) and DADGAD. Several approaches are demonstrated within the different tunings, using traditional Irish tunes to show how accompaniment techniques can be applied in practice.

Alongside the practical playing material, the book looks at the structure of Irish tunes, choosing suitable equipment, developing a practice routine and accompanying other musicians effectively. It also includes profiles of leading players and an introduction to the development of the guitar as an accompaniment instrument in Irish traditional music.

A detailed theory section covers chord construction, fretboard diagrams, chord inversions and voicings, modal chords and modes, barr chords, slash chords and relative minors. A full listing of the chords used in the book, a transposition chart and a discography for recommended listening provide further reference material.

The accompanying CD is an important part of the course, allowing techniques that can be difficult to communicate through notation alone to be heard in practice. Rhythmic accents, strumming styles and the relationship between guitar accompaniment and the melody can all be heard clearly. The examples feature accomplished melody players, giving a practical demonstration of how the accompaniment works within traditional Irish music.

Each recorded example is presented both with and without guitar accompaniment. After hearing the complete performance, players can use the version without guitar to practise providing the accompaniment themselves, making the Book/CD edition particularly useful for developing practical playing skills.

Key Features:

• Practical guide to accompanying traditional Irish music on guitar
• Written by Frank Kilkelly
• Includes the essential companion CD
• Suitable for guitarists with a basic knowledge of chords and strumming
• No previous knowledge of Irish traditional music required
• Explains the structure of traditional Irish tunes
• Covers strumming and picking patterns
• Explores chord choice, rhythm, tone and accompaniment technique
• Introduces standard tuning
• Introduces dropped D tuning (DADGBE)
• Introduces double dropped D tuning (DADGBD)
• Introduces DADGAD tuning
• Uses traditional Irish tunes as practical accompaniment examples
• CD demonstrates rhythms, accents and accompaniment styles
• Recorded examples feature experienced melody players
• Each example is recorded both with and without guitar accompaniment
• Versions without guitar allow players to practise their own accompaniment
• Includes guidance on choosing equipment and developing a practice routine
• Includes theory, fretboard diagrams, chord listings and a transposition chart
• Includes a FREE Hamcor Publishing Treble Clef Key Signature Bookmark

Combining detailed written instruction with practical recorded examples, Accompanying Irish Music on Guitar Book/CD helps players understand not only what to play, but how effective Irish guitar accompaniment works. By analysing the different elements of each style and then putting them into practice with the companion recording, guitarists can develop the skills and confidence to create accompaniments of their own.

The tunes are:

*** EXCLUSIVE FREE BOOKMARK OFFER ***

Every Accompanying Irish Music on Guitar Book/CD includes a FREE Hamcor Publishing Treble Clef Key Signature Bookmark a practical reference tool to help with reading and learning key signatures.

• Premium 350gsm silk card, laminated and printed on both sides
• 210mm 55mm
• All major key signatures with their relative minor keys
• Staff note names for lines and spaces
• Ideal for flautists, students and teachers
• A useful companion for lessons, practice and exam preparation