Celtic Guitar

Genre and Style Guitar Course from Steve Eulberg

Celtic music is a rich, diverse style filled with hundreds of years of culture and beauty. This style of guitar attempts to capture the rich cultural heritage of the music and transfer it into the world of guitar. From reels to jigs to horn pipes, Steve will get you well on your way.

23 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

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Full Course Breakdown

Steve Eulberg delves into the world of Celtic guitar. He will first talk about the basics of the genre and quickly guide you into some of the genre's most memorable pieces.

1

Introduction to Celtic Guitar

Steve Eulberg introduces Celtic guitar in this lesson. He will talk about the history of the music and cover some basics such as rhythm and timing.

16:11 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

2

The Rakes of Mallow

Steve Eulberg talks more about the reel rhythm and teaches "The Rakes of Mallow" as a demonstration.

39:03 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

3

Irish Washerwoman

In this lesson, Steve Eulberg ventures into the exciting world of the double jig. As a demonstration, he teaches a song entitled "Irish Washerwoman."

27:13 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

4

The Road to Lisdoonvarna

In this lesson Steve Eulberg talks about the single jig style of playing and teaches the song "The Road to Lisdoonvarna" as an example.

29:23 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

5

Air Fa La La Lo

In this lesson Steve Eulberg teaches a classic Celtic song entitled "Air Fa La La Lo." This song is heaps of fun to play and sing along with.

26:59 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

6

O Waly, Waly

Steve Eulberg teaches a hauntingly beautiful Celtic song called "O Waly, Waly" in this lesson.

19:01 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

7

Rickett's Hornpipe

Steve Eulberg teaches a classic Celtic piece entitled "Rickett's Hornpipe."

24:20 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

8

Another Jig Will Do

Steve takes you into the world of slip jigs using the song "Another Jig Will Do" as an example.

36:43 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

9

The Lilting Banshee

Steve explains and demonstrates the double jig. He uses "The Lilting Banshee" as an example.

34:26 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

10

Celtic Guitar Resources

Steve talks about some great resources for learning Celtic songs and lyrics.

12:47 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

11

O'Keefe's Slide

In this lesson, Steve teaches the Celtic tune "O'Keefe's Slide."

27:47 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

12

Rocky Road to Dublin 1

Steve Eulberg teaches a classic Celtic tuned titled "Rock Road to Dublin 1."

32:58 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

13

The Rose Garden Reel

Steve teaches a great Celtic tune called "The Rose Garden Reel."

19:02 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

View this Lesson
14

O'Keefe's Slide Part 2

Steve Eulberg presents his second installment of "O'Keefe's Slide." Here he demonstrates melodic embellishments known as ornaments. Steve explains two new ornaments that can be incorporated into the melody. Practicing these ornaments will improve your slurring technique.

23:20 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

15

O'Keefe's Slide Part 3, The Final Ornaments

Steve completes "O'Keefe's Slide" by demonstrating the final ornaments. Studying this lesson will leave you with a better knowledge of how to add ornaments to a Celtic style song.

25:17 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

16

Kesh Jig

Steve Eulberg teaches a Celtic song entitled "Kesh Jig." Here Steve provides a demonstration of both the rhythm and melody parts. The song is presented in standard tuning as well as open G tuning.

20:03 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

17

Open G Tuning - Celtic Application

Steve Eulberg breaks down open G tuning and demonstrates how it it can be used in Celtic music.

11:00 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

18

Kesh Jig in Open G Tuning

Steve revisits the Celtic tune "Kesh Jig" now that he has covered open G tuning. Working in conjunction with lessons 16 and 17, this lesson explains how the tune can be played by a multiple guitar ensemble. Steve's arrangement features multiple guitars playing the same chords and melody. The variety of chord voicings adds depth and character to an otherwise simple progression.

21:56 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

19

Swallow Tail Jig

Steve teaches an old Celtic song entitled "Swallow Tail Jig." Here you will learn the chord progressions that harmonize the A and B sections of the melody.

13:24 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

20

After the Battle of Aughrim

Steve presents a lesson on an old Irish song called "After the Battle of Aughrim." In this lesson you will learn the chord progression and three different ways to play the melody.

25:23 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

21

Scottish Strathspey - Brachanlom

How does a pocket full of nickels and dimes help teach you an old Scottish song? Find out how in this lesson on the strathspey "Brachanlom."

22:01 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

22

The Wind That Shakes the Barley

Steve presents another great Celtic guitar lesson. He covers "The Wind That Shakes the Barley." Enjoy!

23:53 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

23

Reluctant Bus Boy

Welcome to this unique Celtic song lesson entitled "Reluctant Bus Boy!" This song was written by Steve Eulberg himself and was inspired by his son.

16:55 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

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  • Greeley, Colorado
  • Playing since 1970
  • 320 lessons at JamPlay
An Award-winning multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Steve Eulberg weaves mountain and hammered dulcimers with a variety of unusual instruments to create thought-provoking, smile-inducing, toe-tapping acoustic experiences.

He has sung and composed for religious communities, union halls, picket lines, inter-faith retreats, mountain-top youth camps, as well as the more familiar venues: clubs, coffeehouses, bookstores, festivals, charity benefits and showcase concerts.

Born and raised in the German-heritage town of Pemberville, Ohio, Steve was exposed to a variety of music in his home. Early piano lessons were followed by trumpet in school band, and he became self-taught on ukelele and guitar and harmonica. Mandolin was added at Capital University where, while majoring in History, he studied Ear Training, Voice and took Arranging lessons from the Conservatory of Music.

While at college, he first heard hammered and mountain dulcimers, building his first mountain dulcimer just before his final year. Seminary training took him the west side of Denver where he built his first hammered dulcimer. With these instruments, he was able to give voice to the Scottish, English and Irish traditions to which he is also heir.

Following marriage in 1985 to Connie Winter-Eulberg he settled in Kansas City, Missouri. There he worked cross-culturally in a church of African-Americans, Latinos and European Americans, with music being a primary organizing tool. He moved with his family in 1997 to be nestled beside the Rocky Mountains in Fort Coillins, Colorado.

Founder of Owl Mountain Music, Inc. he teaches and performs extensively in Colorado and Wyoming with tours across the US and the UK. He delights in introducing the “sweet music” of dulcimers to people in diverse settings and in addition to his own recordings, has included dulcimers in a variety of session work for other musicians.

In 2000 he was commissioned to create a choral composition featuring dulcimers for the Rainbow Chorus in Fort Collins. It was recorded in the same year (BEGINNINGS). He is currently at work on a commissioned symphony that will feature hammered dulcimer and Australian didjeridu.

Eulberg passionately believes that music crosses cultural and language barriers because music builds community. Influenced by a variety of ethnic styles, his music weaves vital lyric with rap, rock, folk, gospel and blues. Audiences of all ages respond well to his presentation and to his warm sense of humor.

Steve is a member of Local 1000 (AFM), The Folk Alliance, BMI and BWAAG (Better World Artists and Activist's Guild).
Reviews & Feedback 87/100 with 110 ratings
Yoloyo1

beautifull guitar :)

burns1066

Solid intro. Good pacing, plenty of time to practice.

BrianVerde

Great overview of what makes Celtic guitar different from other styles.

Tiercel01

Great stuff. Clearly explained, well demonstrated, and fun.

JeffCassady

Hi Steve! Thanks. Working on this on both six and 122 string.

radiobill

I am now playing three Celtic songs that I have listened to for years but never thought I would be playing. Having a ball.

martin6strings

I liked the way he added the alternate chord lesson shape to help think beyond the open position...

jamiej

One of my favorite Celtic tunes. Would love a backing track to practice on. Steve has done a great job on this series!

wgr129

since I can't sing I enjoy playing songs with melody like this.

anniediver

Steve is such an excellent and inspirational teacher. He's my favorite. His explanations are clear, and I feel as I am in the room with him because of his comfort in front of the camera. He's a big reason I came back to Jamplay.

Eddyvivet

Very clear !