In this third instalment of Bluegrass Licks, we’ll dive into improvising up & down the neck, in the key of G. We’ll focus on three triad shapes with surrounding major blues scale boxes, which are all movable and can be used for any chord or key. The example break and licks are played over the G, C & D chords, while looking at how to link and transition between the chords as we move into positions up the neck. Go to lesson...
Pig Ankle Rag – Version 2 – Advanced! As a follow up to the basic version of the tune, here is a great version with variations up the neck, embellishment of the melody and loads of blue notes and chromatic passages, which really suits the style. We’re in the key of D (capo 2), and I’d suggest you check out the basic version here first, if you haven’t already. Go to lesson...
Londonderry Air is a traditional Irish melody, that in 1913 English lawyer Frederic Weatherly, set the lyrics to his song Danny Boy. It is a beautiful melody, and in this arrangement on the guitar we’re in the key of G (drop D tuning) and is well suited to the advanced picker. Go to lesson...
The Blarney Pilgrim is a lively, traditional Irish jig, played in the key of G and this guitar arrangement is well suited to the advanced picker. While the left hand positions are relatively straight forward, the right hand has some difficult rhythms & picking patterns to contend with, all played at a fast tempo. Go to lesson...
Ragtime Annie is a quick tempo, trad fiddle tune, played in the key of D (capo 2). It’s a great session tune, and this guitar arrangement features double stops & triads as part of the melody, making it a challenging tune to pick. As we break down the tune slowly, it is quite manageable, all with the aim of once memorised, you’ll be able to dial up the tempo as needed! Go to lesson...
Father O’Flynn is a great tune, in the key of D. It’s a jig, and in this lesson we’ll cover how to approach the right-hand to effectively capture the rhythm and pulse for the 6/8 time signature. Played at a fast tempo, this tune is well suited to the advanced picker, and this arrangement incorporates some advanced articulations for the right-hand. Go to lesson...
John Ryan’s Polka is a well known traditional Irish polka, played in the key of D (Drop D Tuning). There are two variations within this arrangement, a basic version of the melody and a variation focused on the deeper tones in the drop d tuning with some interesting syncopation. It’s a fast tune, perfect for an advancing picker, and the basic version is great to get up to speed, while the variation adds a bit of flare to the tune! Go to lesson...
Cripple Creek is a popular fiddle tune, played in the key of A. This is the second version on the site, with the first version found in the flatpicker crash course. In this arrangement, there are four variations, starting out with a basic version of the melody, through to more advanced variations featuring double stops, ornaments, blue notes and embellishment around the melody. Go to lesson...
Black Mountain Rag is a popular fiddle tune, commonly played in 3 parts. This version is in the key of A (capo 2) and will pair great with the version in D. It’s a popular way to play the tune, jump back and forth between the two keys! I’d suggest the arrangement is suited to the advancing intermediate picker, but as always, in this lesson we’ll break down the tune and look at some helpful tips. Go to lesson...
The Boys Of Bluehill is a popular traditional Irish hornpipe, in the key of D. In this arrangement, we’ll learn a finger style version that takes the tune and places it in DADGAD tuning, adding embellishments to the melody and mixes it with some really interesting harmony accompaniment. Often played at a fast tempo, I’d suggest this arrangement is suited to the advanced finger picker…but don’t be put off by the tempo; I think it also works beautifully at a slower tempo! Go to lesson...