Celtic Backup for All Instrumentalists

Chris Smith

Apr 2016 · Mel Bay Publications

About this ebook

This book teaches the most crucial function of a chord instrument in the Celtic seisun (session) - that of playing tasteful, interesting, imaginative, and supportive improvised accompaniment. Celtic Back-Up presents accurate and directly applicable information on the theory, conception, stylistic considerations, procedures, and resources for accompaniment. Every facet of seisun accompaniment is thoroughly explored. With this book you will come to understand why many of our Celtic authors are reluctant to suggest chord accompaniment with their melodies in the first place; the idea is to be open to fresh ideas and improvise the accompaniment as you go. Includes access to online audio.

About the author

Chris Smith is a jazz guitarist, ethnomusicologist, and Ph.D. candidate in Musicology at the

Indiana University

School of Music. He writes, produces, and hosts the weekly program One World for NPR-affiliate

WFIU. He has performed, studied, taught and recorded in music styles of West, Central, and South

Africa, the Caribbean, India, the Middle East, the African Diaspora and the British Isles, and has

composed for film and dance. He has written articles and presented papers on many topics in jazz,

classical and world music, and is currently adjunct faculty at the Indiana University School of

Music. In addition, he records for the Dorian Group withAltramar medieval music ensemble, leads the

African-jazz group Amandla, and performs with flute- and concertina-player Grey Larsen.