Glenn Weiser
Celtic Harp Music of Carolan and Others for Solo Guitar
Centerstream Publishing ISBN #0 931759 95 1 (1995); 112 pages ($14.95 US)

Stefan Grossman, Duck Baker, El McMeen
Mel Bay’s Complete Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar Book
Mel Bay Publications (1995);244 pages ($19.95 US)

Sara McQuaid
The Irish DADGAD Guitar Book
Ossian (1995); 94 pages(£8.95 Irish pounds)

These three guitar books, serve three different purposes for the aspiring and intermediate traditional guitarist. Glenn Weiser’s book is classical in its orientation and layout. The arrangements are somewhat complex, providing plenty of harmonies and counterpoints to the familiar melodies. The book contains 27 Carolan compositions, and another 17 traditional Irish and Scottish tunes (by composers such as Rory Dhall O’Cahan and Thomas Connellan). All of the classic Carolan planxties are here, and then some. The book uses both tablature and standard notation, and it definitely has the nicest layout of the three, with clear, large print.

Mel Bay’s Complete Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar Book is part of the popular stable of instruction books. The tunes are largely Irish, and most of them have been arranged by Duck Baker and El McMeen. There are 76 arrangements in all, in both tab and standard notation. Sometimes there are two arrangements of the same tune (in different tunings). In one case ("The Blarney Pilgrim), all three authors give their interpretations of how it might be done. A couple of "guest arrangers" appear as well, such as Dave Evans and John Renbourn. The book includes some unusual tunings, and McMeen uses a CGDGAD on a number of pieces, which gives them a harp like quality. It even gives over exposed pieces like "Danny Boy" a fresh setting. Many of the tunes include a few notes regarding fingering, especially when the tunes get tricky. A recording of the arrangements is available.

For many, the DADGAD tuning was like some dirty secret that people shared bits of in quiet tones after a concert. We all knew that the "experts" were using it to get those great arrangements, but there was little written assistance. But now that’s all changed with Sarah McQuaid’s The Irish DADGAD Guitar Book. The book includes sections on music basics, the structure of Irish music, modes and key signatures, chord structures (and diagrams), chord theory, how to accompany Irish music, as well as tablature and notation for two dozen tunes. Most of the tunes are fairly well known pieces, such as "Frieze Britches," "The Chicago Reel" and "Planxty Irwin." Even if you’re a beginning guitarist, this book might help you on your way. The tunes may currently be beyond your grasp, but the tips on accompaniment can be put to use immediately. A cassette with all of the tunes in the book is also available.