Key of A Chords, Part 3: “The Black-Haired Lass” Basic Backup

This lesson is part of the course Irish Guitar with John Doyle.

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Guitar master John Doyle teaches you how to play traditional and contemporary Irish music. With lessons on essential technique, playing backup on traditional tune forms, melodic picking, and more, you’ll learn John’s driving rhythmic style and his authentic approach to traditional melodies and his own tunes and songs.

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“Mooney’s Reel” Backup

John shows you a more complex approach to backing up “Mooney’s Reel” in this video.

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Key of A Chords

Key of A Chords, Part 1: Basic Chords

Key of A Chords, Part 2: Basic Chords Play-Along Track

Key of A Chords, Part 3: “The Black-Haired Lass” Basic Backup

Key of A Chords, Part 4: “The Black-Haired Lass” Basic Backup Play-Along Track

Key of A Chords, Part 5: “The Black-Haired Lass” Embellished Backup

Key of A Chords, Part 6: “The Black-Haired Lass” Embellished Backup Play-Along Track

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Key of A Chords, Part 3: “The Black-Haired Lass” Basic Backup

In this video, John shows you how to apply some of the chord forms you just learned in a basic chord progression to accompany “The Black-Haired Lass.” There are variations of the tune in other modes, but in this Mixolydian setting, you’ll play mostly A, G, D, and E chords, starting with an A chord at the fifth fret. John shows you how to make use of the lower strings as drones and suggests places to accent the rhythm with right-hand emphases and subtle syncopation.

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Key of A Chords, Part 3: “The Black-Haired Lass” Basic Backup

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