Irish Bouzouki

with Daoiri Farrell, who talks about his custom-made instrument and traditional Irish music.
Find more from Daoiri at: www.daoiri.com
Find us on facebook: / thestringdom
Recorded: Dublin, August 2017.

[@allegrolover]

When he started singing, I noticed he sounded so familiar. Then I remembered, Daoiri was the one singing Galway Girl along with other musicians when their flight was delayed

[@FordyHunt]

That's how I found him :)

[@RaymondMeunierMusique]

Dude right lol

[@david57strat]

@@FordyHunt I, as well! Fantastic player and singer. Found this other video of him, performing Creggan White Hare, at the 2017 Celtic Colours International Festival. Phenomenal performance and recording of this exact instrument. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3fbaH5qftisotE

[@thomas_dries]

That was such an amazing video!

[@DSteinman]

He looked familiar I thought this must be that guy

[@BBQ1953]

Here I’m 65 years along and until tonight, I’d never heard of an Irish bouzouki. Or had I ever hear that song. Super job playing and singing!

[@opieriddle5556]

Don't feel bad about not having heard an Irish Bouzouki before; the I.B. is a relatively new instrument from the early 1970s. Picked up my first one about 15 months ago! Wish I could play like Daoiri Farrell!

[@BBQ1953]

Opie Riddle - he does a pretty phenomenal job. The best pickers are the ones who can vocalize the story they’re playing on their instrument at the same time. He is seamless in his playing and singing.

[@ACyoutube46]

I play (Greek) bouzouki and only learned about Irish bouzouki when someone asked me why my trixordo "wasn't flat". It sounds good! It's tuned like trixordo/6-string bouzouki, except with a G added, which is pretty similar but is played very differently!

[@jldrumm]

Daoirí is one of the greatest and is, hands down, the best modern Irish folk singer and bouzouki player. Cheers!

[@senseiofsong]

Great playing and singing. Thanks for introducing this Yank to this joyous music. I can see where bluegrass comes from.

[@catasstrophy2316]

The curse of a bouzouki player: "What kind of guitar is that!?" The curse of a mandolin player: "woow, cool ukulele!"

[@juuuk98]

Lmao

[@teeekotaco6734]

The curse of a viola player: "that's a big violin!"

[@Conchobhar]

That second one work for the baroque guitar players too.

[@josteinv.jordet257]

​@@teeekotaco6734the curse of a viola player is being a viola player

[@АлександрСтепанов-б6з]

The curse of a domra player: "is it balalaika? Oh ye, it's mandolin"

[@nikoskabbadias]

There is a very popular Greek bouzouki with 8 strings, koumpare. Most Greek bouzouki songs after 1960 are for 8 string bouzouki.

[@dick-gs9tb]

The three course Greek bouzouki is probably the more well known in Ireland because of its use in Irish trad by people like Alec Finn, but yeah, looking at it from a Greek point of view the four course is obviously far more common these days.

[@nylonpython]

Daoiri makes me want to play the Bouzouki, he's fantastic.

[@johnyoung2705]

He makes me want to make him play the bouzouki for me, while I sip at a Guinness and try not to make a face. XD

[@bennyrummage5934]

BEAUTIFUL song at the end!

[@TheStringdom]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@rogerbeaird5742]

I love it when someone pauses when asked a question cause they answer from their heart

[@19Bokay94]

Daoiri Farrell is a great musician, really interesting video. been listening to his cd a lot!

[@andrewreynolds2647]

amazing, this guy is truly talented as a player and a singer, i thoroughly enjoyed this song. thank you so much for sharing. Cheers. Andy. Scotland.

[@ryevick]

Beautiful instrument! Fantastic song and performance, I love it!

[@bugmanuk]

Daoiri has turned me onto the instrument and I'm getting one soon!

[@imspartacvs]

I just love the way Daoiri belts out a tune.

[@bluoasis4]

Nice instrument, great playing and singing! Love it!

[@mccafferyfamily]

Sounds great been thinking of getting an Irish bouzouki to accompany the family singing Irish folk tunes

[@JohnOfWoking]

Wonderful musician - can't wait to get stuck into the irish bouzouki!

[@kevinell6605]

Superb, does a great job of this song in this video ....brilliant

[@ShaneIrwin7]

What a voice! Didn't expect that.

[@JustinLCecil]

Great stuff. These videos are ridiculously well produced.

[@TheStringdom]

Thanks for your kind comments! Feel free to share with anyone who might be interested :)

[@fh041205]

Absolutely! Great to see such a clear view of the chords and picking.

[@radhaor]

Daoirí is a master musician!

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Cool and great voice for this style...

[@merv1618]

God, that was such a beautiful song

[@sandman0123]

Irish bouzouki is one of the best sounding stringed instrument. It makes you feel good just listening to it! :-)

[@MichaelSmith-on1ig]

I just put his music in my playlist, very nice!

[@Mystic-Panda890]

I want to get an Irish Bouzouki. They sound amazing.

[@petrosstefanis6234]

Irish and Greeks are kindred spirits. For sure.

[@cafeplay7505]

Ireland belongs on the Med , we drifted to far north 😂

[@Akis_101]

The Greek bouzouki is not only with 6 strings as the player says . It has 2 versions , one with 6 strings which rules since 1955 and with 8 strings which rules since then . That doesn't mean that you don't find today a 6 string, you can find both. Usually the lovers of rembetiko songs as myself we play the 6 string. Nice video !

[@davelevalley6511]

Man alive, that fabulous instrument compliments your powerful voice there to perfection. Greetings from Brittany, France.

[@stesio8400]

the modern version of Greek bouzouki has 8 strings 9 (C-F-A-D) and the old version (before the end of WW1) has 6 strings (D-A-D) nowadays bouzouki's players (μπουζουκτσήδες bouktsides) use the modern vesion but there best of them who play rebetika use the old version

[@Kampfwageneer]

Ste Sio baglamas

[@stesio8400]

@@Kampfwageneer baglamas is a different instrument

[@ΘανοςΡουσόπουλος]

Π'εστα μάγκα μου

[@djmaur]

Shhhh, you dont want knowledge about mandolins...oops, I mean Iriish Bouzoukis here.

[@jamesmccarty8988]

He’s got a great voice!

[@amandaoregan2095]

ah this is great James. you should try and get this on rte and the bbc

[@joshuarichardson5329]

It’s on Spotify at least! 😁

[@JosMorn1]

Lovely!

[@cykablyat7393]

Im a 6 string acoustic player and I've recently delved into banjo, but now I need a bouzouki

[@TheStringdom]

It's a great instrument! I'm tempted to pick one up myself...

[@MoeSlislack]

beautiful!

[@mr.someone52]

Modern Greek Bouzoukis have also 8 strings but the tuning is slightly different and the playing Style is another world, that reminds more on a mix of arabesque, spanish and gypsy sounds,to describe the greek sound.its very special. But basically it is the same instrument. Due to the flatback the sound varies a little making it what has become "irish". I love both . You irish folk have a similar Energy of live that makes it fine.

[@c.a.t.732]

The 8 string Greek bouzouki is tuned liked the highest (in pitch) four strings of a guitar, but a whole step lower... CFAD in pairs, with octaves on the C and F. The Irish bouzouki is most often tuned GDAD. So I guess they are 1/2 the same instrument in that sense.

[@MrPHart]

@@c.a.t.732 is often tuned GDAE, mine is a Fender and I've own it for about 20 yrs now and practice daily, mostly play for friends and at church. I have never met another player with a Fender Irish Bouzouki, I would guess Fender didn't sell many and stoped the production after a short time. Irish Bouzoukis were unheard of 20-25 years ago here in the southwestern USA. It also adds a lot when I play local Northern New Mexico music a genre of only Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. Music is a heart with a beat that keeps this old man going, age 81!

[@c.a.t.732]

@@MrPHart Seems like most Irish musicians tune their bouzoukis GDAD (the tutorials I've seen on KZbin all have that tuning) although GDAE is indeed another. The latter is how I tune my octave mandolin, which as you may know has a shorter scale-length and has unison tuning on all the strings. I knew about Fender Irish bouzoukis and octave mandolins through my local music store... they are a Fender dealer, although they didn't actually stock those particular instruments. But they were able to order a Fender octave mandolin bridge for me to replace the one on my Johnson octave mando... I liked the idea of a bridge that was adjustable for height, as most bouzouki and oct, mando bridges aren't. A couple of years later I wanted to get another for my Trinity College instrument, but found out they were out of stock... I guess that was the time Fender stopped offering those instruments. I'm not familiar with Northern New Mexico/Southern Colorado genre music. Any examples on KZbin you could recommend? Here in Northern California Irish bouzoukis and octave mandolins have been around since the 80s, but I didn't get my octave until the early 2000s, although the first instrument I taught myself to play was the regular mandolin in 1971. As you say, music can keep one going. I play my octave mando every day... it's the closest thing I have to a spiritual practice.

[@gregmc8748]

The plaque on the wall is my Aunt Roisin, who died in a car crash in the '70's, at least I bet it is. Anyone know what the building is they are filming in?

[@Whatzzzz999]

Such an unpretentious, engaging fellah. And a great singer and player. I wonder how many bouzoukis got purchased on the strength of this vid? And if I'm ever stuck in an airport, bemoaning my delayed flight, can I book you for a couple of hours??

[@abthedragon4921]

Why haven't a checked out this instrument sooner!!??

[@MrFair]

Nice interview! :) Really like your channel!

[@TheStringdom]

Thanks! Stay tuned I've got some more interviews coming!

[@MrFair]

Stay tuned? Well, that has to be a pun on this channel! ;)

[@TheStringdom]

+MrFair hehe unintentional, but well spotted!

[@johnculliton2872]

Didn't know till now that Daoiri has Rainey ancestors, There's a Donal O'Rainne (=Donald Rainey) in Galway making beaut bouzoukis, small world closing in on us again

[@TheBowzwow]

..........................................Sensational.........

[@rogerbeaird5742]

My dudes great melody I'm practicing counter point in my mandolin studying playing in-between the lines lol👍👍👍🎵🎶🎶🎵 great singing also I wish to meet you someday in america are home is open doors to musicians🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🎶🎵🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍👍👍

[@Sveaisland]

Savage singer

[@Khethatipet]

"I can play the concertina, bouzouki and citern / when I dance the Siege of Ennis the floor beneath me starts to burn..."

[@robbiefrantz8170]

Super! Super!

[@carlinhoscrisostomo8538]

Muito bonito!

[@misstinwhistle1]

I received my new Irish bouzouki two days ago. I love it but it's intimidating! I hate being a newbie.

[@kathleenmccabe5151]

I got my first Irish bouzouki 2 weeks ago. Hoping to start online lessons with Daoiri very soon. Everyone is a newbie at some stage. It's going to be a great learning experience for us :)

[@joshuarichardson5329]

Stick with it, mates. Maybe one day you’ll post videos for us all to enjoy. Wishing you well on your musical journeys

[@aniquinstark4347]

It's got a great twangy sound like a mandolin or resonator banjo

[@lowellirish]

I too, have a powerful baritenor voice, which can ovwrshadow my guitar, sooo...Octave mandolin it is for me! 😊

[@DevinsDen]

That outro song is that an actual song he wrote? Its fuckin amazing.

[@krainey]

Daoiri Farrell & Pat Rainey ❤👍 I'm a Rainey h I love that song

[@mickmorris3633]

Monkstown ceoltas

[@WHALEx3]

9:14 he's amazing

[@SNOBYMILLS]

I cant find a left handed bouzouki anywhere! I need one

[@manuelgebauer3762]

Great Video! Keep it up

[@ΘανοςΡουσόπουλος]

Greek bouzoukis have 8 strings now! It changed after hiotis in 1950

[@RealYellowbeard]

I couldn't help but be curious about the plaque in the background: Indíl chuimhne ar Róisín Finn (Preston) a rinne obair éachtach ar son an chomhaltais agus a maraíodh go tubaisteach sa bhliain 1978. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal - Bronnta ag comhairle na breataine, G.G.E. As such, I entered it in to a translator and came up with the following: (hopefully it is close to correct) In memory of Róisín Finn (Preston) who did a great job on behalf of the consortium and was killed in disasters in 1978. On the right hand of God is her noble soul . - Awarded by the British Council, G.G.E.

[@TheStringdom]

RealYellowbeard wow such attentive watching! I spent hours editing the video and didn't think to check out the plaque. Do you speak Gaelic? I'm sure Daoiri would know the story, he has a long history with that school!

[@RealYellowbeard]

Do you remember the school name? You mention it is in Dún Laoghaire, but you get right to the guest and the instrument, with very little lead-in. (Excellent interview by the way! Very interesting.) I don't speak Gaelic at all, but as an Engineer I am insatiably curious about odd things for no real reason at all. Languages fascinate me, and Gaelic seems to break so many rules... so I made it a project this morning while it rained to figure out what the very prominent sign said.

[@TheStringdom]

RealYellowbeard the place was Comhaltas CeoltóIrí ÉIreann, in Monkstown actually. Its a real hub of Irish music dance and culture from what I understand. It was a weekday morning we met so it was pretty quiet there at the time but I think they host a whole load of events and ceilidh dances etc!

[@jamesdoyle3484]

It seems accurate enough to me that you'd get the meaning (im not the best at Irish though) although its the Troubles not disasters. The Troubles was a period of persistent terrorism in Northern Ireland by the IRA that lasted from 1960-1998 i think. They set off a lot of bombs (it got to the point where it was like 2 a day for a whole year i think).

[@22grena]

@@jamesdoyle3484 ''The Troubles'' is the name for the conflict as a whole and not what one participating group did.

[@JaimeAndresJaramillo]

WOWWW WOWW JUST WOWW WHAT A BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL SONG MAN!!! NAME PLEASE!!!!!!!! OH GOD LOVELY

[@bp_48hrs63]

It's called pat rainey

[@bronzeladdy53]

I want a ten string version like this! Can you contact me?

[@Lucas-yq5qo]

Sounds like a fantasy forest.

[@ThinkLink1]

9:20 music begins

[@noahmoomate2781]

It reminds me of a lute

[@Frakfayt]

Some Greek bouzoukis also have eight strings...

[@Bimagragaireacht]

Frakfayt not the standard

[@ΘανοςΡουσόπουλος]

@@Bimagragaireacht it actually is the modern standard. Only rebetika (bouzoukis emulating the 1935 and prior style) have three strings now.

[@andreaswatzi6009]

Hey What´s the Name of the Song at 9.18min?? Greetings from Germany

[@pipaswrc]

What is the name of the song at the end? Beautiful playing and singing!

[@Mandibule734]

It's called Pat Rainey !

[@djmaur]

More precisely it is an adaptation of an octave mandolin. Stretch the neck and change two strings.

[@BerndKlanke]

huh! whats the intro tune?? :.)

[@tylerobrien7622]

Is that daredevil?

[@rasmuserlandsson2204]

Wait... how is it really tuned? Octaves or unison?

[@robzamites3441]

Unison strung.

[@Niven42]

The 2 highest courses are unisons (a-a and d-d). The two lower courses are octaves (G-g and D-d). The difference between this and an octave mandolin is that the courses on the octave mandolin are all unison, and they’re (each) tuned G-D-A-E, where this is G-D-A-D. They are remarkably similar instruments, and the same music can be played on both if you just re-tune the top course when you need to switch.

[@CelticAndyTheBard]

I don't think that's correct Niven42. I'm pretty sure the G and D are also strung in unison.

[@Niven42]

Daoiri’s are strung in unison, which is more typical of an octave mandolin. But either way will work. He’s also using a capo in the fifth fret which makes this functionally equivalent to a mandola.

[@Niven42]

Alex Markhan has a video showing the conversion from octaves to unisons.

[@MsCellobass]

Sounds like a John Denver song

[@PleaseNThankYou]

How about some FOGGY DEW?❤

[@spriggan1437]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJ3aYodjgsR5hMU

[@zoemeow7677]

Yeeeeeeee!!!!!!

[@sebjuliussen9378]

Sunny Coastal Town... Lol

[@djmaur]

Long scale octave mandolin. Except two of the strings are in octave, not unison. Not as much newness as some may think.

[@rxa177]

He sounds like Paul Brady

[@conlangknow8787]

Thats not a bazooka 😤😡🙄🙄🙄😤😤😤😡😡😡😡😡😡

[@ghetinknotabush8602]

musical instrument vs talk show...bouzouki wins! ...bye

[@jeffreyschmoldt7798]

Looks like a mandolin on steroids LoL

[@Georgievski-x6d]

greek bouzouki better

[@djmaur]

The "Irish Bouzouki" ia clearly an adaptation of the octave mandolin. It requires very little knowledge to ascertain. Octave mandolin... stretch neck... change two strings... voila... a bouzouki?

[@djmaur]

Actually an "A" style Flat Iron Octave Mandolin.... modified

[@dick-gs9tb]

I guess technically it's more similar to an octave mandolin with the unison strings and all, but it was indeed adapted from the Greek bouzouki during the 60s and 70s folk revival. If you watch some really old Planxty clips for instance, Donál Lunny is still playing a Greek one.

[@UMBUBA]

What the fuck is “Irish bouzouki” it’s like saying Japanese organ. Don’t Irish have their own string instrument?

[@darrenwhite344]

Kind just wish he’d shut up and play

[@mechamechs]

Bouzouki is Greek. Please don't spread misinformation by calling it Irish!

[@BuddyBuddy21]

yea its greek but the irish added more strings to it now its irish ☘ 🍺

[@runetorshammare2972]

There is greek bouzouki and there is irish bouzouki. Both have different sound and looks.

[@liamp1379]

Buddy Buddy there is also a greek bouzouki with 8 strings. I am not greek btw

[@Vigilante311]

@Christiaan Baron cant argue with that now

[@ACyoutube46]

@Christiaan Baron Normally we play Irish songs on an African instrument (banjo). Haha. I'm happy the Irish kept the word "bouzouki" for it to show its origins, rather than just inventing a new word or whatever. Imitation is flattering, not offensive. I'm happy, as a bouzouki player, with the adaptation, and maybe will learn Irish bouzouki some day, if I can save enough extra money for one (all bouzoukis are expensive, unfortunately, Greek and Irish both).

[@FacePaster]

beautiful!