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Celtic Piano Accompaniment
Learn to accompany Celtic tunes on the piano with Neil Pearlman, exploring essential chords, rhythmic tools, and creative techniques through New England and Cape Breton fiddle music.
Start playingAbout this course
Join Neil Pearlman in this engaging piano course that bridges tradition and creativity, focusing on accompaniment styles rooted in Scottish, Cape Breton, and New England folk music. Designed to ...read more
Join Neil Pearlman in this engaging piano course that bridges tradition and creativity, focusing on accompaniment styles rooted in Scottish, Cape Breton, and New England folk music. Designed to equip you with the tools to play by ear and improvise on the spot, this course emphasizes developing rhythmic drive, finding chords quickly, and supporting the flow of dance music in social settings.
Neil draws from his deep experience in traditional music to teach versatile concepts that apply not only to Celtic traditions but also to other styles of folk music worldwide. You'll explore how to adapt music theory to fit the unique demands of traditional fiddle tunes and discover practical ways to accompany Reels, Jigs, and Waltzes. With practice tracks featuring fiddler Katie McNally and connections to melody-focused courses at The Folk Music Academy, this course offers a comprehensive and collaborative approach to learning folk piano. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, you'll gain the confidence and skills to sit down with other musicians and create music that inspires.
Whether you're completely new to the piano or an experienced player looking to explore Celtic accompaniment, this course provides practical skills, inspiring ideas, and a deep connection to this vibrant musical tradition.
Fiddle: Katie McNally
Fiddle: Katie McNally
Join Neil Pearlman in this engaging piano course that bridges tradition and creativity, focusing on accompaniment styles rooted in Scottish, Cape Breton, and New England folk music. Designed to equip you with the tools to play by ear and improvise on the spot, this course emphasizes developing rhythmic drive, finding chords quickly, and supporting the flow of dance music in social settings.
Neil draws from his deep experience in traditional music to teach versatile concepts that apply not only to Celtic traditions but also to other styles of folk music worldwide. You'll explore how to adapt music theory to fit the unique demands of traditional fiddle tunes and discover practical ways to accompany Reels, Jigs, and Waltzes. With practice tracks featuring fiddler Katie McNally and connections to melody-focused courses at The Folk Music Academy, this course offers a comprehensive and collaborative approach to learning folk piano. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, you'll gain the confidence and skills to sit down with other musicians and create music that inspires.
Whether you're completely new to the piano or an experienced player looking to explore Celtic accompaniment, this course provides practical skills, inspiring ideas, and a deep connection to this vibrant musical tradition.
Fiddle: Katie McNally
Fiddle: Katie McNally
Teacher: Neil Pearlman
Instrument: Piano
Countries: England
Regions: Cape Breton, New England
Musical forms: Jig, Reel, Waltz, Accompinament
Browse the 14 lessons
- Introduction to the course
- How to sit
- Chords Fundamentals I
- Rannie MacLellan - Basic Boom-chick
- Rannie MacLellan - Advanced Basslines
- A Hundred Pipers
- Chords Fundamentals II
- Old Grey Cat
- Chords Fundamentals III
- Chords Fundamentals IV
- The River Bendpreview
- Amelia's Waltz
- Carrying Concepts Forward
- Beyond Boom-chick
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About the Piano
The piano is one of the most iconic and versatile instruments in music history. Invented around 1700 by Bartolomeo Cristofori, the piano revolutionized music-making with its ability to produce both soft and loud tones—hence its full name, pianoforte ("soft-loud" in Italian). This expressive range is achieved through hammers striking strings, controlled by keys, allowing musicians to play both melody and harmony simultaneously.
Pianos have evolved over centuries into two main types: the grand piano, prized for its rich sound and used in concert settings, and the upright piano, compact and suited for homes and studios. Its keyboard layout of 88 keys enables performers to explore a vast spectrum of notes and dynamics, making the piano a cornerstone of classical, jazz, and popular music traditions.
From the intricate works of composers like Mozart and Chopin to the improvisations of jazz legends and the melodies of modern pop, the piano bridges genres, cultures, and generations. Whether you're a beginner or a professional, the piano remains a timeless tool for creativity and expression.
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