Pat Egan Workshop: Guitar Accompaniment for Traditional Irish Music

Monday , April 10, 2000
12:00 am
Location: Elderly Instruments
workshop ($40)

Pat Egan is becoming a recognized force on the contemporary folk scene. A native of Tipperary, Pat grew up singing and playing. He served his apprenticeship with the Dublin groups Old Bawn and De Min, and has since been a member of Idle Wall, and the Mayo-based traditional group Sheeaun. More recently, his performance on the internationally acclaimed recording "Music at Matt Molloy’s" brought his talent to much wider. Now splitting his time between Westport, Co. Mayo and St. Louis Missouri, Pat has toured extensively in the United States and Europe, and has appeared on numerous television and radio programs in the U.S., Ireland and abroad. Pat’s guitar style is unique in a couple of key respects. One of the few guitarists in Irish music that adheres to standard tuning as opposed to the ubiquitous DADGAD, his approach will be of particular use to the overwhelming body of uninitiated guitarists as well as those familiar with alternative tunings. His exciting rhythmic drive on the right hand coupled with his compelling lyrical moves on the left hand will open doors for guitarists of any level of experience. The Guitar Accompaniment Workshop will be in four parts: 1. Chord Shapes in the keys of G major, D major, D mixalydian, A major, A minor, A mixalydian, E minor and B minor. Using these shapes in various positions up the neck. 2. Rhythmic patterns for jigs and reels, and the importance of good time (not to be confused with having a good time, which is also important.) 3. Accompaniment of slow airs. 4. The importance of listening and developing the ear. Pat will have a CD with tunes in the above keys. Handouts will also be available. Bring a guitar in standard tuning, a capo, a tape recorder and blank tapes. "The music comes from inside, and is a constant learning process. The most important thing is listening." --Pat Egan

Check out recordings we carry featuring Pat Egan