The Guitarist's Survival Guide: The Road to Ireland

Knowing The Tunes (Mostly)

Professional musicians are generally better when they are professional. It sounds obvious, right? But with a setlist blending fiery bluegrass tunes and Irish melodies, it’s better to be prepared. This means knowing not just the melodies, but also the harmonies – a crucial distinction given the distinct roles of guitar and mandolin in our group.

Beyond the fixed parts, a bluegrass gig without improvisation would be a very strange affair indeed, and it's something I love to do. While preparing for improvisation might sound ironic, the more prepared you are, the better. This includes getting ready for any interesting harmonic "flavours" in the chords. I hone these skills by constantly listening to the greats, such as Tony Rice, transcribing parts I like, and occasionally writing my own licks, even borrowing from other genres. Sometimes, I'll even transcribe an improvised lick I caught myself playing during a recorded gig. I've been holed up with my instruments, running through every tune and harmony, aiming for seamless, effortless delivery – or at least, a convincing illusion of it.

Gear Check: The Unsung Heroes Get Some Love

Nobody wants to look like a fool on stage, especially not in front of a discerning Irish crowd. That means a thorough gear check is non-negotiable.

Strings Attached (literally): My instruments are getting a fresh set of strings. For my acoustic, it's the D'Addario XS strings. I've been through countless brands over the years, searching for that perfect balance of tone and playability, and these have become my absolute favourite. My trusty mandolin, on the other hand, is getting the D'Addario EJ74s. This is definitely a case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." They've never let me down.

Bagging a Fix (Gator G-PG Acoustic Gigbag): Speaking of heroes, my Gator G-PG Acoustic Gigbag is arguably the hardest-working piece of gear I own. It’s seen more airports, muddy festival fields and cramped tour vans than I care to count. It's developed a few minor battle scars, so before we hit the road, it's getting some well-deserved TLC and a quick repair of its zipper. A reliable bag is truly a life-saver.

Pick Perfection: Picks, as any guitarist knows, are both essential and maddeningly prone to disappearing. I've been experimenting with a few new ones, and my current obsessions are the Dunlop Primetone (they're a fantastic, cost-efficient alternative to those pricey Bluechip picks – and yes, picks absolutely DO matter on an acoustic instrument, let me tell you!) and the Dunlop 204. Each brings a subtle but noticeable difference to my sound and feel.

Irish Essentials:

Finally, there's the truly crucial pre-tour preparation: bracing for Ireland's infamous weather. My most important packing item? A raincoat. It's Ireland, after all; let's be realistic! Being prepared for a sudden shower (or three) is just part of embracing the "craic".

Stay Tuned: My Irish Adventure Continues!

Wish me luck and tune in about three weeks with a full report on how the gigs went, the audiences and all the adventures (and misadventures) from our Irish tour.