How to strum a jig on guitar for beginners - Irish or Scottish folk music accompaniment

This free Irish guitar lesson from Folk Friend covers one of the first topics I ever made videos about- strumming along with jigs! These are probably the most common type of tune in Irish and Scottish folk music. They are in the compound time signature 6/8 , with six quavers (8th beats for American viewers) in every bar. They have a very distinctive sound- if a tune goes "diddly diddly" or "da-da-diddly" then the chances are that it's a jig! There are two main patterns used by Irish and Scottish backing guitarists, and in this video I'm going to show you both of them. You can find more ideas for rhythmic variations in my more in-depth jig video here:
• Beginners' Irish Guita...
And the top secret "upside down" jig pattern (more difficult, but seriously cool) here:
• Learn this alternative...
If you're completely new to playing Celtic guitar by ear, there's really no substitute for learning from an experienced professional teacher. I would love to help you become a great Irish or Scottish style backing guitarist!
Contact me NOW to book a 1-on-1 guitar lesson via Skype, Zoom or Whatsapp:
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If you are looking for a complete guide to learning to back Celtic music on the guitar, with chord diagrams, music theory instruction, audio examples and much much more, then you'll want to check out my book Backing Guitar Techniques For Traditional Celtic Music, available here:
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[@adrianred236]

Greetings from Ireland, thanks for that, can't believe I had to learn that from someone in Sheffield. Go Raigh maith agat

[@folkfriend]

No problem at all! Happy playing :)

[@gordonmcglone523]

I watched your two jig strumming videos back to back. I have been looking for guidance for years. You are a star Nye and I am so glad that you are helping aspiring celtic strummers. Keep up the great diddlies.

[@folkfriend]

Thank you Gordon, I'm glad you enjoyed them! Plenty more diddles to come haha.

[@lizmilner4999]

I've spent years trying to figure out how to strum in six-eight and this did the trick! Thank you.

[@folkfriend]

Thanks very much Liz- glad you enjoyed it! There are loads more free folk guitar tutorials on folkfriend.co.uk/ too :)

[@paulwatt434]

Iv been learning geetar for aboot a year noo and I'm nae going to lie,I'm nae affa good at ah,iv tried to lern from martys music and a few folk from you tube and then boooooom I find you,a lot easier to understand and teachin the music I enjoy.cheers buddy

[@folkfriend]

No problem at all! Glad you're enjoying the videos 😊

[@Melvorgazh]

Tapping the foot is very helpful! Even pros do it. One can see late Micheál Ó Domhnaill tapping it when playing with Kevin Burke at the Ohio university concert in 1982 :)

[@colleenmcgraw]

Getting back into seisuns again and this is a great way to work out the cobwebs!

[@folkfriend]

@@colleenmcgraw woo, great stuff! Best of luck 😁

[@mrb1060]

Thanks. I’m here in Sacramento, CA and learning Irish tunes so I can play for a whistler friend.

[@folkfriend]

Cool! I hope it all goes well :)

[@ceooflonelinessinc.267]

Good job mate. I want to get in to irish playing.

[@folkfriend]

Thanks and good luck! It's all in the ears! I do give lessons over Zoom if you get stuck. Nye

[@briandwi2504]

Yes, it was the old one that started me off on my Finale guitar journey! Worth mentioning picks, it took me ages to realise that the gauges really matter. When I use one, I use a light and flexible one. I believe the Jim Dunlop 0.6 or 0.65 is deemed to be the standard pick for Irish backing guitar. I found that helpful.

[@folkfriend]

I totally agree, yellow tortoises all the way!

[@grrrrrlonfirew]

Finally I found you. Thanks so much.

[@folkfriend]

No problem!

[@derry3344ii]

Thanks friend From Derry city 👍

[@folkfriend]

No problem Gerry!

[@Buchas87]

Absolutely LOVED this mate very good

[@folkfriend]

Thankyou!

[@KennedysKitchen]

Superb.

[@folkfriend]

Cheers John! Check out folkfriend.co.uk/ for loads more (all free).

[@tavoff70]

Brilliant!

[@folkfriend]

Thanks :). Check out folkfriend.co.uk for loads more!

[@Rmurrayusmc1]

Great update to the first one!

[@folkfriend]

Thanks Roy!

[@GreyGhost.]

excellent presentation.

[@folkfriend]

Thanks Paul!

[@lizmilner4999]

Thanks!

[@Melvorgazh]

Happy New Year, mate! Wish you the best for the bleak future ahead. God bless

[@folkfriend]

Happy new year to you too! I'm feeling pretty optimistic for 2021- there's light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully sessions will be back soon. Best wishes for a brighter year ahead.

[@Melvorgazh]

@@folkfriend I hope you're right 😉

[@57barryt]

Excellent 👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏

[@folkfriend]

Cheers Barry!

[@patriciacampbell6549]

Do you have any beginner lessons I'm a whistle bodhran and keyboard player havnt played guitar from I was a child but I can only remember how to play an e minor but I can pick up the timing easy from playing bodhran and keyboard but Ur so right about tapping the foot o do it all the way time when playing my whistle love Ur own jig pattern great stuff

[@folkfriend]

Hi Patricia. Yes, absolutely loads! Look on folkfriend.co.uk/videos/ and you'll find all my free tutorials there. I also give lessons over Zoom if you'd like some one on one help.

[@chadbickel3887]

Thank you! I’ll be on holiday in Dublin/Drogheda this summer visiting my wife’s family. I have an outside hope that I can play along with the locals in the pub. Any idea which 3 or 4 songs would be best to learn?

[@folkfriend]

There are lots of session favourites that crop up all the time. Off the top of my head I'd say have a look at the Kesh Jig, Morrisons and the Maid Behind the Bar from my free playalongs- they're all very common and quite easy to play :). Good luck!

[@chadbickel3887]

@@folkfriend Thank you! I’ll check them out.

[@folkfriend]

@@chadbickel3887 good luck 😊

[@tcoudi]

i tring this now and then foir almost a year nad the the down in the middle makes me to want to smack some irishman. its honestly same pain as the tripole picking in gypsy jazz, still cannot wrap my haead around to make it consistently.

[@peterfoster8004]

Great video, really useful. Have you any tips for when the tune calls for more than one chord per bar? I struggle with that in 6/8.

[@folkfriend]

Hi Peter. You could have a look at the chord scales I suggest in the "how to play fast" videos for shapes which are easy to change between. Beyond that I'd say practice common 1/2 bar chord changes (A-D, D-G, Em-A etc) with a metronome and keep a note of how fast you can do each one. That way you'll have a clear, quantify-able way to chart your improvement.

[@folkfriend]

Good luck!

[@frankswatek1067]

Great

[@folkfriend]

Thank you Frank! Have a look on Https://folkfriend.co.uk/ for loads more :)

[@keith7945]

Until I read your book I used pattern 1 , but although it felt less natural at first, i kept at pattern 2, which now strangely feels the more natural pattern.

[@folkfriend]

Quite right! It's certainly a lot more energy efficient at speed.

[@celnamusic]

Short hair is great!!

[@folkfriend]

@@celnamusic thanks!

[@闇の光_909]

I just bought a violin and want to learn jigs

[@crisrose521]

Play more, talk less . But nice lesson thanks 🙏

[@frankking781]

Wrist .

[@folkfriend]

Oh yes, loose and relaxed like the bristles of a paint brush!

[@frankking781]

@@folkfriend l know too many electric guitarists that are all forearm and shoulder .