LESSONS – Guitar Backing

Master Irish & Scottish Guitar Backing

Rhythms • Progressions • Accompaniment • Session Skills

Dreaming of joining a session, backing up fiddles and flutes, or capturing the pulse of a reel or the expressive phrasing of an air? Celtic* guitar backing is a unique and joyful skill, one that blends rhythmic drive, subtle harmony, and dynamic interplay. Whether you’re new to Celtic accompaniment or want to deepen your session skills, these lessons will help you unlock the art of backing tunes with confidence and style.

* Irish, Scottish, and more

Why Learn Celtic Backing?

Guitar is the underlying heartbeat of many Irish and Scottish sessions, providing lift, groove, and harmonic color. Learning to back Celtic music will help you:

Join the Tradition - Connect with centuries of vibrant musical culture, and become part of the living session tradition
Versatile Skills - Play in a variety of tunings and styles: standard, DADGAD, Drop D, open tunings, and more
Rhythmic Mastery - Develop right-hand strumming and picking patterns for jigs, reels, hornpipes, polkas, and airs
Creative Harmony - Learn classic and modern chord voicings, substitutions, and how to “play the tune from underneath.”
Session Confidence - Back up melody players in a group, adapt on the fly, and contribute to a dynamic ensemble sound
Personal Enjoyment - Whether on stage or at home, playing Celtic backing is endlessly satisfying and fun!

Classic Celtic Backing in Action

Some classic tunes and artists where guitar shines as a backing instrument:

Some traditional tunes where guitar can shine as a backing instrument:

Reels - “Cooley’s Reel,” “The Silver Spear,” “The Gravel Walks”
Jigs - “The Kesh Jig,” “Merrily Kissed the Quaker,” “Out on the Ocean”
Airs - “Sí Bheag, Sí Mhór,” “The Water is Wide”
Polkas: add

Artists to inspire you:

John Doyle (Solas and Solo)
Arty McGlynn
Dennis Cahill (Martin Hayes duo)
Jenn Butterworth, Steve Cooney, Dáithí Sproule, Tony McManus, Anna Massie, Add One Younger One, Etc.

What We Can Explore Together

Backing Different Tune Types - Learn the unique rhythm and feel for each dance type: jigs, reels, slip jigs, hornpipes, etc.
Rhythm & Groove - Develop strumming and picking patterns for jigs, reels, hornpipes, polkas, airs, and more
Chord Voicings & Progressions - Explore movable and modal chords, drones, inversions, and substitutions
Capo Strategies - Quickly find the best keys and sounds for any tune
Multiple Tunings - Explore accompaniment in standard, drop D, or DADGAD to learn what works best for you
Listening & Session Skills - Follow tune structures, listen for harmonic changes, subtly support the melody, and adapt in real time. And, if you’re near Detroit, join our local sessions and jam with fellow musicians
Arranging & Dynamics - Build intros, endings, transitions, and vary your accompaniment for musical interest and variety
Accompanying Songs & Singers - Support a vocalist with tasteful chords, sensitive rhythm, space, fills, intros/outros, and dynamic arrangements
Traditional & Modern Styles - Blend time-honored approaches with creative, contemporary techniques
Repertoire - Listen to and learn classic and contemporary session tunes
Getting out of first position? Passing Chords? Bass Lines? Hybrid Picking? Partial Chords covered? Percussive techniques, palm muting?

What to Expect

Hands-on, step-by-step instruction to get you backing tunes right away
Personalized lessons focused on your musical goals and session needs
Practical resources such as Chord charts, rhythm guides, recordings, session-ready practice tracks, song music/tabs, and recommended essential recordings and players so you develop your ear for great backing
Supportive, session-tested guidance for all ages and levels

About Your Instructor

Alberto Whitmer holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Master’s from the University of Limerick (focused on Irish Traditional Music), plus a teaching certificate from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. With years of experience in both sessions and performance, Alberto brings deep knowledge, practical skills, and an encouraging approach to every lesson. He has also worked with Add, Tony McManus, Clive Carroll, Pierre Bensusan, and Add.

If you are fortunate enough to live near the Detroit area, catch him live at sessions in Plymouth (Sean O'Callaghan’s), Ann Arbor (Conor O'Neill’s) and Detroit (Gaelic League).

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you want to join your first session, expand your accompaniment skills, or bring Celtic energy to your playing, these lessons are your invitation to the rich world of Irish and Scottish guitar backing.

Contact me to discuss your interests and book your first lesson online or in person (Detroit area), let’s make the music come alive together!

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