How to Play Irish Guitar

Irish guitar playing, with its rich tradition and unique style, offers a fresh perspective for any guitarist looking to expand their musical vocabulary. From the rhythmic patterns reminiscent of Celtic dances to the melodic lilt that echoes the Irish landscape, learning to play Irish guitar can be both challenging and rewarding. Let’s explore the nuances of this style and how you can bring a touch of the Emerald Isle into your playing.

The Charm of Irish Tunes

Irish music is known for its lively jigs and reels, soulful airs, and rhythmic strumming patterns. At its core, Irish guitar is about complementing the melodies played on traditional instruments like the fiddle, tin whistle, or uilleann pipes. The guitar often serves as a rhythm instrument, playing intricate fingerstyle patterns or strumming chords to drive the tune forward.

The first step in embracing Irish guitar is to familiarize yourself with the common time signatures and rhythms. Irish music frequently uses time signatures like 6/8 for jigs and 4/4 or 2/2 for reels. Understanding these rhythms is key to capturing the feel of the music. A good exercise is to listen to recordings of traditional Irish music and tap along with the beat, paying close attention to how the guitar interacts with other instruments.

For those wishing to dive deeper, try playing along with a metronome set to these time signatures. Start with simple strumming patterns, and gradually introduce more complex rhythms as you become comfortable. Remember, the goal is to support the melody, so focus on blending rather than overpowering.

Getting a Grip on Open Tunings

One of the distinctive features of Irish guitar is the use of open tunings. These tunings create a drone effect, which is characteristic of traditional Irish music. The most common tuning is DADGAD, but others like CGDGCD and DGDGBD are also popular.

Open tunings can be intimidating at first, but they offer a world of new possibilities. The first step is to retune your guitar and get comfortable with the new finger placements. Spend some time just strumming open strings and getting a feel for the different tonalities.

Once you’re comfortable, try learning a few simple tunes in DADGAD. Many traditional Irish melodies fit naturally into this tuning, allowing you to focus on the melody without worrying too much about complex chord shapes. As you gain confidence, experiment with creating your own arrangements of traditional tunes, using the open strings to add depth and richness to your sound.

Fingerstyle Techniques for Irish Guitar

Fingerstyle guitar is a cornerstone of Irish music. The ability to pick out melodies while maintaining a rhythmic bass line is essential. Begin by practicing basic fingerpicking patterns, focusing on maintaining a steady rhythm with your thumb while using your fingers to play the melody.

A good starting point is the “thumb-finger” technique, where your thumb alternates between the bass strings while your fingers pick out the higher melody notes. Practice this pattern slowly, ensuring clarity and consistency in each note. Gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable.

Another technique to master is the use of hammer-ons and pull-offs, which are frequently used in Irish music to create ornaments. These embellishments add a distinctive flair to your playing and help capture the traditional sound. Practice incorporating these into your fingerstyle patterns, starting with simple melodies and gradually adding more complex embellishments.

Chord Progressions with an Irish Twist

While Irish music often revolves around simple chord progressions, the way these chords are played can make all the difference. In DADGAD tuning, for example, you can create rich, droning sounds that complement the melody beautifully.

Start by learning basic chord shapes in your chosen open tuning. Even simple major and minor chords can sound fresh and exciting when played in DADGAD or other open tunings. Focus on smooth transitions between chords, and experiment with adding embellishments like slides and hammer-ons to create interest.

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, try incorporating more complex chords and progressions. Modal chords, which use scales like Dorian and Mixolydian, are often used in Irish music to create a distinctive sound. Experiment with these scales and see how they can add color and depth to your playing.

Playing Jigs and Reels: Rhythm and Flow

Jigs and reels are the heart of Irish dance music. Jigs are typically in 6/8 time, with a lively, bouncing rhythm, while reels are in 4/4 or 2/2 time, with a driving, energetic feel. Both require a strong sense of rhythm and flow.

Start by listening to recordings of traditional jigs and reels, paying close attention to the rhythm. Practice clapping along with the beat to internalize the feel of the music. Once you have a good sense of the rhythm, try playing along with a metronome or backing track.

For jigs, a common strumming pattern is down-up-down, up-down-up, which creates the characteristic “bouncing” feel. For reels, focus on maintaining a steady driving rhythm, using downstrokes for emphasis.

A great way to practice is to play along with recordings or join a local session, where you can experience the music in a communal setting. This not only improves your timing and rhythm but also deepens your understanding of the music.

Embracing the Airs: Expressive Playing

While jigs and reels are high-energy, Irish airs offer a chance to explore more expressive, melodic playing. These slow, lyrical tunes are often based on traditional songs and require a different approach.

When playing airs, focus on conveying emotion through your playing. Take time to learn the melody by ear, paying attention to phrasing and dynamics. Use techniques like vibrato and slides to add expressiveness.

Incorporate dynamics and tempo changes to reflect the natural ebb and flow of the melody. Remember, the goal is to tell a story with your playing, so take your time and let the music breathe.

Playing airs is also a great opportunity to experiment with different tones and textures. Use your guitar’s volume and tone controls to create a rich, nuanced sound that brings out the character of the music.

Session Playing: Joining the Craic

One of the joys of playing Irish music is participating in sessions, informal gatherings where musicians come together to play traditional tunes. Joining a session can be a great way to improve your playing and connect with other musicians.

Before attending a session, spend some time learning a few common tunes. Many sessions follow a similar repertoire, so knowing a few jigs, reels, and airs will help you join in more easily. Listen to recordings of session bands to get a sense of the style and repertoire.

When you first attend a session, take the time to listen and observe. Pay attention to how the musicians interact and follow the lead of more experienced players. When you’re ready, join in quietly and gradually increase your volume as you gain confidence.

Remember, sessions are about enjoyment and community, so focus on having fun and connecting with others. Be respectful of the other musicians and try to contribute to the overall sound rather than standing out.

Modern Influences on Irish Guitar

While traditional Irish music has a rich history, modern influences have brought new elements to the genre. Many contemporary Irish guitarists blend traditional styles with elements of jazz, rock, and even metal.

If you’re interested in exploring these modern influences, start by listening to artists who are known for their innovative approach to Irish guitar. Pay attention to how they incorporate different genres and techniques into their playing.

Experiment with incorporating different styles into your own playing. Try adding jazz chords or rock riffs to traditional tunes, or use effects like reverb and delay to create new textures.

Remember, the goal is to make the music your own. Don’t be afraid to experiment and push the boundaries of traditional Irish guitar. By blending old and new, you can create something truly unique and personal.

Building Your Repertoire

As you become more comfortable with Irish guitar, start building a repertoire of tunes that you can play. This will not only improve your playing but also give you a sense of accomplishment and motivation to continue learning.

Begin by choosing a few tunes that you enjoy and that are commonly played at sessions. Focus on learning these tunes thoroughly, paying attention to both the melody and the rhythm.

Once you have a few tunes under your belt, start exploring different styles and genres within Irish music. Learn a mix of jigs, reels, airs, and other types of tunes to create a well-rounded repertoire.

Keep expanding your repertoire by learning new tunes and revisiting old ones. Regular practice and exposure to new music will keep your playing fresh and exciting.

Final Thoughts

Playing Irish guitar opens up a world of musical possibilities and connects you with a rich cultural tradition. Whether you’re strumming lively jigs or exploring soulful airs, the journey is as rewarding as the destination. And if you’re looking to further hone your skills, Riffhard offers lessons from some of the world’s best modern metal guitarists. It’s an excellent resource to blend new techniques with traditional Irish music, giving your playing a unique edge.