Backer Corner with Matt Heaton - ABSOLUTE BEGINNER IRISH BOUZOUKI v.1.5 [focus on jigs]

[@Whatzzzz999]

Very insightful. I'm a lifelong guitar player, 50 yrs plus, recently expanded my range to include a short scale bouzouki, GDAE tuning (I love that tuning by the way). I was really surprised by three things after 3 intense months with the bouzouki: firstly, I discovered muscles in my left hand - I'm right handed - that I didn't know existed! secondly, I had to radically change my picking technique - and my pick too. thirdly, when I switch back to the guitar, my hammer-ons and pull-offs have been transformed, it feels like the guitar strings are made of butter!! The bouzouki is such a soulful, beautiful instrument, sits really well in a session situation either as a chordal or a melody instrument. Thank you so much for your videos, you are a generous person, and it's much appreciated.

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

LOVE that the bouzouki has unlocked new ideas and techniques for you on guitar. And it makes sense that trying out a few different strumming languages would broaden your vocabulary and worldview. So glad you found Matt's videos!

[@dianaaldridge-ukulele7785]

Thanks so much! I’m getting an octave mandolin in the Fall and I believe this will give me a great start! Some of the best help I’ve found so far👍🎵

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

Congrats on the forthcoming octave mando! Hope you enjoy, and glad if this can get you going in a helpful/fun direction.

[@dianaaldridge-ukulele7785]

@@ShannonHeatonMusic also, I play concert flute very well ( no brag intended) so how difficult would Irish flute be for me? And I wouldn’t know how to begin to purchase one🤷‍♀️. Thanks

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

@@dianaaldridge-ukulele7785 It's a different mindset, but the same basic instrument! So you won't have to take time learning to produce a tone. You'll just need to learn to play without vibrato (if that's how you play); adjust for the F# fingering; keep the fingers on your right hand flat to accommodate the ornamentation and to make the reach; learn tunes by ear; and at first to just slur everything (no tonguing). Also, think about breathing after downbeats... you'll need to make phrasing choices that don't interrupt the flow of the tune. As for where to purchase an Irish flute, you could start with a polymer one. Make sure you love it before investing in a good wooden instrument. Blayne Chastain is a good resource for instruments. Meet him here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/poaZo6Z-gqh1jMU

[@dianaaldridge-ukulele7785]

@@ShannonHeatonMusic Alrighty. Thank you so much! All of that makes sense and I will check out your suggestion!

[@martingillan3387]

Found this very helpful thanks Matt!

[@Melvorgazh]

Very interesting stuffs! I hadn’t watched much bouzouki lessons before actually. Only 4-5 times perhaps. See you tomorrow Matt and Shannon!

[@JohnJoseph12754]

Matt- Thanks for your insight and generous spirit in making and posting these. I will have many more questions, but I'll start with an obvious one for a complete beginner. Those small spacers below the bridge on your strings: what is their purpose? I assume it's to deaden sound below the bridge? Are they available commercially, or is that something you've rigged on your own?

[@MattHeatonMusicForKids]

thanks! yeah, those are little grommets that I put there to deaden any behind the bridge sympathetic vibrations. they are little rubber things, I think used for cable routing in electronic projects. can't recall where I got them; ordered a bag 10 years ago!

[@kenkarpowicz3455]

Another great instructional video and follow up to the previous video. Any thoughts you want to share about advantages and disadvantages of choosing to buy either a bouzouki or octave mandolin? Thanks.

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

I think Matt corresponded with you on this. Did you make a choice?

[@kenkarpowicz3455]

@@ShannonHeatonMusic Thanks for asking. No choice just yet. I’ll restring my tenor banjo and tune to GDAD as a first step. As soon as I get some of the chord voicings and tunes in my mind and fingers I’ll try to find a way to try both instruments.

[@johand7096]

Hi Matt thanks very much for this lesson,you play so well on this instrument.bouzouki has my interst much.I had for Blues harp contactwith Andy Irvine,and saw and heard his bouzouki songs.Qestion is for me what is a good one to buy.In middleslass so not too cheap or expensive?thanks for your help!!greetings

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

Lots of bouzoukis out there. There are no (good) *cheap* bouzoukis, I think. But Nickos Apollonio makes some quality instruments... and there might be decent entry level Trinity College instruments. There are also Virtual Guided Session builders who might be able to weigh in?

[@johand7096]

@@ShannonHeatonMusic thanks a lot Matt.so nice you answered .I am trying to buy one shortly!greetings!!!

[@TravisBare-rn2lh]

Thanks! What make of instrument is that?

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

Matt plays a Davy Stuart bouzouki. A great instrument!