How to Not Suck (at Irish rhythm guitar)

Are you a tune player hoping to draft a "great guitar player friend" who doesn't already play Irish music? Or are you a guitarist looking for a quick primer on Irish style? Here are some succinct thoughts from in-house guitarist Matt Heaton on basic right and left hand approaches.

[CVMoser]

So concise and useful. I'm crash coursing for my first Celtic music gig and this video provided the best advice.

[Queeney]

Great lesson. Just what I was looking for.

[coffeeandkeys]

Thank you for such a great video. My daughter has been playing classical violin for 4 years now. We found an old ceilidh fiddle book with accompaniment chords in a charity shop……took it home and within minutes she had the bug. I couldn’t get her to put the violin down. I’ve played guitar for years but have neglected it for several years…..so here I am, watching your amazing advice. Thank you so much!

[tradballads]

At least I have the exact same pick, that‘s a good start. Off to cure my elephants. Really useful concise guide, thanks Matt!

[mollycarlson]

This is a brilliant video! You broke all the concepts down into very understandable bites--I think the hardest bit is going to be getting in enough practice to bring all those elements to life on my guitar! Thanks so much for the de-mystification!

[Melvorgazh]

Hi Matt! Always a delight to enjoy your lessons ☺️👍🏻

[strummer]

Thanks for those great tips. Working on the rhythms and new chords, it like discovering a new guitar language

[GraeneyMac]

Good selection of the fundamentals vividly put over with imaginative examples, comparisons of style and sounds effects. Very engaging. Thanks Matt.

[harpbaby]

I'm so glad I found this series of instruction. If I can't find a decent backing track, I have to provide my own. Now, my guitar and mandolin playing will be much better. Thanks Matt!

[leverbart]

Matt, this playlist is so helpful. Please keep adding to it! You've really changed my backing. Thanks a million from co. Clare

[vankerckhovenfilip]

I've been searching the right chords for years. Thanks a lot for those lovely sounds!

[pgpagaia]

You guys are the best. Just teaching what matter in direct fashion.The part of keeping it smooth and making everyone happy, cracked me up. 😂

This video is exactly what I needed for my backing tracks.

[markskywalker]

Ciao Matt, what a great quick start guide to Irish guitar...I will try the pink elephant parade rhythm for sure :)

[terry]

Hi from Australia, thanks so much Matt i just turned 75 and have bought small body guitar made in Northern Ireland as i love Celtic music and would like to learn some simple Jigs and Reels.This video is great, you explain everything clearly and simply.After seeing this i think i can manage this so thanks so much for excellent tutorial.You have motivated me to start regular 30 minutes a day this very morning🎸

[PaulrRogers]

How good is this? Just fantastic thank you so much! As a singer songwriter and specialist acoustic guitar finger picker for many years. This has always been a mystery to me . Best guitar lesson I have ever had!

[jimokearns]

I've been looking for an Irish guitar video and was pleasantly surprised to find this. Coincidentally, I worked at KAFM Radio Room in Grand Junction for a few Siucra shows many moons ago and had the pleasure of meeting you and Shannon. I look forward to getting more into Irish guitar stuff. Loving your videos!

[daviemoloney]

That’s a great intro to Irish music accompaniment. Well done

[johntait]

Very nicely and concisely explained. Thank you. ;-)

[ruthrappaport]

I'm digging this video and think it's really good, Shannon! Love what he has to say and how he says it. As an old-style player, both on piano and guitar, I have never adopted the contemporary (as in what's been going on in Irish music for 30+ years--I'm showing my age. . . ) style of strumming and chords that Matt is showing. I feel I'm successful at playing a very gentle boom-chuck along with bass lines, throwing in some variations on standard chords. Just wanted to say that it can be done and one won't necessarily suck if they do that!

[sheller]

I love the description of the Jig rhythm as " Jiggity, Jiggity" the faster ya say it the faster ya play it. 😂😂