Celtic Chords

Subject: Celtic Chords
From: Bedubya
Date: 15 Mar 01 - 11:53 AM

I am interested in hearing from folks who play rhythm guitar in standard tuning in Celtic music settings, particularly those who may have discovered unusual chord forms and voicings that are appropriate to Celtic music.

For instance, I often use a "neutered G" chord similar to a G minor but with the G string left open and the bass G note fretted by the thumb. In other words, it's nothing but G's and D's - no third - so it's neither major or minor. This lends a very bouzouki-like sound.

Anybody got any others?

Subject: RE: Celtic Chords
From: GUEST,John
Date: 15 Mar 01 - 12:16 PM

Sounds like you are playing a G5. You could get that with one finger if you learned to play in DADGAD. Those 5ths are great when you can't decide whether it should be major or minor. I suppose you could just look for all the 5th chords in a guitar chord book to get them all. Try an E5. it is 022400. This is the first chord in Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown", but is perfectly suitable for the celtic sound you are after.

John

Subject: RE: Celtic Chords
From: Wesley S
Date: 15 Mar 01 - 01:05 PM

I've always loved the playing of John Doyle when he was in Solas. He has a good instructional video out on Homespun tapes. He has some unusual chord shapes perhaps because he's left handed. He uses a drop D tuning. Check it out.

Subject: RE: Celtic Chords
From: wlisk
Date: 15 Mar 01 - 01:55 PM

When playing a polka or jig with repeating Em & D chords, in standard tuning, I substitute a Cmaj7 (332000) for the Em on the 2d time to the Em. Also adding a Bm right after the D gives an interesting sound. Sometimes when playing an A chord I add a x04020 then a x05050 then back to A (x02220) kind of like a run up to x05050 then back down to A. This also works for a blues run. Hope this makes sense. Bill

Subject: RE: Celtic Chords
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 07 Oct 01 - 03:25 PM

I found a site that suggests using a lot of Sus 2nd chords in the key you are playing, haven't tried it yet.Anyone discovered more chords or progressions that fit into a pattern for a jig, reel polka etc

Subject: RE: Celtic Chords
From: pavane
Date: 07 Oct 01 - 06:09 PM

Look into the 'modal' tunings and chords used by Martin Carthy, Nic Jones etc.

Subject: RE: Celtic Chords
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 02:37 PM

Thanks pavane-will do