Backing Up Reels, Part 1: Picking-Hand Technique and the Reel Rhythm

from: Irish Backup Guitar with Flynn Cohen

This lesson is part of the course Irish Backup Guitar with Flynn Cohen.

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About This Course

Learn to accompany jigs and reels and other traditional Irish dance tunes in the style pioneered by Irish guitar greats Paul Brady, Mícheál Ó Dhomhnaill, and Dáithí Sproule and used at Irish seisiúns. With chord voicings, rhythm patterns, and practice tracks.

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THE JIG RHYTHM

Jigs are the other most commonly played dance form in Irish traditional music. The 6/8 jig rhythm is unique and has a specific strumming pattern and a particular feel. Beginning jig players often use an alternating picking pattern, but to get the right feel, it’s usually better to use a down-up-down, down-up-down pattern. Flynn demonstrates the pattern and gives you a couple of exercises to help you get used to the pattern.

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The Irish Backup Guitar Subscription Includes:

A step-by-step approach to mastering Irish backup guitar technique
36 extensive video lessons using dropped-D tuning and DADGAD
Lessons on accompanying 29 traditional Irish tunes, including reels, jigs, hornpipes, O'Carolan tunes, and more
Tab/notation and/or chord charts for all lessons
High-quality video with multiple camera angles so you can see closeups of both hands in action
Play-Along Tracks so you can practice what you’ve learned

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BACKING UP REELS

Backing Up Reels, Part 1: Picking-Hand Technique and the Reel Rhythm

Backing Up Reels, Part 2: “The Tulla Reel”

Backing Up Reels, Part 3: “The Tulla Reel” Play-Along Track

Backing Up Reels, Part 4: “The Red-Haired Lass”

Backing Up Reels, Part 5: “The Red-Haired Lass” Play-Along Track

Backing Up Reels, Part 1: Picking-Hand Technique and the Reel Rhythm

Flynn demonstrates his picking-hand technique in this lesson, using the basic rhythm you’ll use to play reels. He shows you how he holds the pick, what kind of pick he uses, and how he keeps his wrist loose. Then he shows you a basic strumming pattern for reels that comes from Mícheál Ó Dhomhnaill, giving you advice on accents and which strings to damp.

Backing Up Reels (Available to subscribers)

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Backing Up Reels, Part 2: “The Tulla Reel” →

Previous Lesson

← Chord Voicings in Dropped D

Next Lesson

Backing Up Reels, Part 2: “The Tulla Reel” →

Previous Lesson

← Chord Voicings in Dropped D

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