Described by The Irish Times as “a godsend to aspiring traditional guitarists,” Sarah McQuaid’s The Irish DADGAD Guitar Book has become the standard reference on the subject. Topics covered in the workshop include basic chord shapes in DADGAD, the capo and its uses, backing guitar styles, chord patterns and an overview of the modes (Mixolydian, Dorian, etc.) that are typical of traditional tunes and songs. By way of illustration, Sarah will teach participants to accompany a song in DADGAD, including a simple instrumental break, and will then “take apart” another song, demonstrating how different patterns and variations can be introduced to make the accompaniment more interesting for the listener. Handouts with lyrics, tablature and chord diagrams are included in the workshop fee. See https://sarahmcquaid.com/workshops for more info and testimonials from previous participants.
Born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holding dual Irish and American citizenship and now settled in rural England, Sarah McQuaid is the author of The Irish DADGAD Guitar Book (published by Hal Leonard) and the winner of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ards International Guitar Festival. Her new album and video series The St Buryan Sessions, recorded and filmed live during lockdown in a beautiful medieval church near her home in Cornwall, was described by Acoustic Guitar magazine as “an instant classic.” She regularly presents workshops on the DADGAD tuning (as well as on songwriting, tour booking and more) at festivals, music schools and venues around the globe.
