Banjo, Bodhran and Guitar

Banjo and Guitar Classes are on MONDAY EVENINGS and Bodhrán Classes are on WEDNESDAY EVENINGS in the Music department of Stranmillis University College

We have a limited supply of Banjos, Mandolins, and Bodhrans for hire for up to three successive terms. Please email info@belfasttrad.com to express interest.

Tenor Banjo and Mandolin with Aiden Walsh

BelfastTrad is delighted to offer a range of classes teaching banjo and mandolin players together. Please note, this class is not suitable for a 5-string banjo.

Beginners 6:00 - 7:00pm. Suitable for new students to BelfastTrad. Please join this class if you have not attended classes with us on banjo/mandolin before. Aiden will focus on technique and move students onto other levels when appropriate. Please let us know about your experience to date (if any).

Intermediate 7:00 - 8:00pm. Suitable for returning students who have completed a term or two with us. This class will focus on developing repertoire.

Guitar with Deirdre Galway

BelfastTrad is delighted to offer a range of levels of guitar with a focus on backing traditional music in DADGAD. If you have other interest, please get in touch with us before enrolling to see if we can accommodate you.

Beginners 6:00 - 7:00pm. Suitable for new students to BelfastTrad. Please let us know about your experience to date (if any). We will try our best to group students with others at the same level of experience.

Intermediate 7:00 - 8:00pm. Suitable for returning students who have completed a term or two with us. Develop a range of guitar techniques to accompany tunes or songs. Our tutor will adapt according to current students’ interests, be it backing tunes in DADGAD or accompanying songs.

Advanced 8:00 - 9:00pm. A high level class intended for experienced players. This class will suit those who have completed a number of terms at Intermediate level and are ready for a greater challenge or for those who have significant experience playing other styles of music and want to learn backing traditional music.

Bodhrán with Tomaí Taylor

Beginners 6:00 -7:00pm. This class is suitable for complete beginners. Learn some simple patterns on the drum.

Intermediate 7:00 - 8:00pm. Progress to this level after a term or two at beginners (your tutor will advise you on this) or if you are confident in playing along to some different patterns such as jigs and reels.

Advanced 8:00 - 9:00pm. This class is suitable for experienced players who are ready to take their playing to the next level. Hard work happens here and a wide variety of tune types are explored.

Aiden Walsh

Aiden Walsh, originally from Tubercurry in Co. Sligo, is by now a long-time resident of Belfast. He is well known for his distinct, driving style and is much sought after as a teacher and performer.

Tomaí Taylor

Tomaí is a bodhrán player and maker from Belfast. He started playing the bodhrán at age 17 and within a year had appeared at a Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann final. Since then he has performed and taught in local and international settings.

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DEIRDRE GALWAY

Deirdre is highly skilled and experienced guitarist in the Irish tradition and an expert in the DADGAD tuning system. She is a founding member of the Irish traditional bands Réalta and Music in the Glen who have released four critically acclaimed studio albums and have performed throughout the world including at Celtic Connections (Glasgow), Sori (South Korea), Saarang (India) and Milwaukee Irish Fest (USA). Closer to home Deirdre performs for The Belfast Traditional Music Trail and for Live Music Now, a charity which brings music into various community settings.