'After each session I left with a smile on my face because I'd learned something new. Thank you very much and see you for another course.'
– M. Pardelinha

'A fresh, interesting approach. Lots of very useful styles, chords, etc.'
– P. Kelly

'John is an excellent instructor who has time for each student. This ensures that whatever issues the student has are ultimately dealt with successfully.'
– T. Byrne

'Really enjoyed the course and John – he is a wealth of knowledge!'
– L. Page

'Great course and tuition. Keep up the good work!'
– F. Denny

'Very enthusiastic and able teacher. Go raibh maith agat!'
– D. Dodd

The first known use of guitar in Irish traditional music was by the Flanagan Brothers, who used the instrument to accompany dance tunes and songs, in the US in the 1920s, but it was not until the 1950s and 60s that it became popular in Irish music. The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem incorporated guitar into their arrangements of Irish songs, and the use of the guitar by ballad singers became widespread during the ballad boom. Gradually the guitar became more commonly used in accompanying instrumental music, and there have been many developments in trad guitar since the 1960s. Artists such as Steve Cooney, Arty McGlynn, Denis Cahill, Paul Brady and Dick Gaughan have taken guitar playing in many interesting directions, developed unique styles, experimented with alternative tunings and absorbed a wide range of different influences, including jazz, rock and world music.

The Trad Guitar Basics course provides an intensive introduction to the form and how to play it. The course will cover the following elements:

• Chord shapes and strum patterns
• Bass runs and chords
• Using the capo
• Combining chords and single-note playing
• Alternative chords and variation
• Standard and alternative tunings
• Along the way participants will be introduced to the major figures and styles through listening sessions and practical examples.

Although this course is an introduction to traditional guitar, it is not a course for guitar beginners. (Go to Introducing Guitar for Adults or Introducing Guitar for Teens for information on our beginners courses.) Participants in the Trad Guitar course should have at least one year’s playing experience, be able to read guitar tablature and have a good grasp of basic open-position chords as well as standard barre chord fingerings. Changing from one chord to another should not be a problem.

Trad Guitar Basics is one of our group courses. Private, partner, group and intensive lessons in Irish traditional guitar and other guitar styles are also available. Go to Departments & Faculty - Guitar & Bass for more information.

2011-2012 Third Term Schedule & Fee

10 weeks, April 19 – June 21, 2012
Tuesdays 7 – 8 pm

Tuition Fee: €170

John Sweeney, Teacher

John comes from a musical family and has been studying and playing guitar and bass for over thirty years. He works in many different styles, including traditional, rock and jazz, and has performed and recorded with a number of Irish groups, gigging extensively throughout Ireland, Canada, the UK, the US and Spain. He began teaching in 1988 at the Scarborough School of Guitar in Toronto, Canada, where he also studied composition and flatpick technque. He has also studied flamenco guitar with Miguel Escudero Lopez in Seville, Spain and traditional music at St. Enda’s Folk Park & Museum, and he continues to develop techniques of both melody and rhythm accompaniment for Irish music. John has taught at the New School since 2003.

Listen to John playing a slip jig and three reels:

Enrolment

Enrolment for this course requires a completed enrolment form and full payment of tuition fees. (Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a 2011-2012 General Enrolment Form.) Places are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Early enrolment is recommended, as places are limited to eight.

Purchasing this course as a gift? Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a Gift Certificate Booking Form.

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