Irish Minor Chords

[Alan Day]

I know very little about Irish music playing on the anglo but I find it interesting that few players use minor chords only major to enhance certain notes .Is this a tradition for Irish style playing ?

Al

[Mark Evans]

Hum....Now bein' an English player maybe it can't count for much, but I have not noticed anglo players encountered over the years avoiding minor chords. There'd be a right hard time of it in any minor tune.

 

For me accompaniment is a very interpretive art form in Irish music. I have a great time with it and enjoy the different chord options depending on who else is about that evening and how creative and or responsive they might be. Some purists shun chordal accompaniment or the occational drone altogether. A matter of taste and or situation I suppose.

[David Barnert]

Open 5ths (E-B without the G, for instance) might make more sense for the Irish modal minor tunes. Think like a DADGAD guitar player.

[Mark Evans]

Yes David, I hear you and often do just that (gives you plenty of wiggle room). But on a tune like Drowsy Maggie I just love to throw in quick full E minors (g voiced in the second octave) on the off beat as counterpoint when everybody's in and the tempo has reached break neck speed!