In lesson 15 of the Flatpicker’s Crash Course, we’ll spend some time working out of the D Major scale in the 2nd position, while we learn a fun arrangement of Arkansas Traveler. We’ll develop strategies to improve our picking, tempo, control and fluency, all while working our way through this fun fiddle tune. Go to lesson...
The Monaghan Jig is an awesome tune in the key of Em, played at a fast tempo, and suited to the advanced picker. There are four parts to the tune, each presenting their own challenges; cross picking, arpeggios, picking technique, 16th note rhythms plus ensuring the 6/8 feel is accented. Spend some time on this tune, it will certainly develop your picking and will be a great addition to your repertoire! Go to lesson...
‘O Come All Ye faithful’ is a beautiful Christmas carol and in this fingerstyle guitar lesson, we’ll learn a variation that supports the melody in both 2 & 3 part harmony. In the key of G (drop D tuning), the dynamic rises and falls as the harmony moves in and out of 2 & 3 part, high & low, creating a lovely sense of contrast to the piece. The Go to lesson...
‘We Three Kings of Orient Are’ is a beautiful Christmas carol and in this fingerstyle guitar lesson, we’ll learn three verse variations and two chorus variations. In the key of Am, first up, we’ll cover a basic, beginner fingerstyle version of the melody. We’ll then move on to a pretty version of the melody in the open position for the intermediate picker, then, moving up the neck, we’ll look at a great version, with a lovely variation of harmony, suited to the advanced intermediate picker. The Go to lesson...
In this lesson, we’ll take a look at the traditional Irish tune, Congress Reel. A challenging reel, the tune is in A Dorian, a minor mode. Being the 2nd mode of G Major, it shares the same key signature and contains the notes A B C D E F# G.
Congress Reel is a challenging tune for the intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
The Star of Munster is a traditional Irish reel, in the key of Am (dorian). In this lesson we’ll dive into a fingerstyle arrangement that will suit the advanced picker. Featuring some challenging articulation, the melody moves in an interesting way, which will certainly present a challenge at times. Played at a fast tempo, the Star of Munster will make an excellent addition to your fingerstyle repertoire! Go to lesson...
Da New Rigged Ship is a traditional Scottish reel, with a 3 part form. Part A & C are in Am (dorian), while part B modulates into A Major. In this lesson we’ll dive into an arrangement that contains two variations, that will suit the advanced picker.
The first variation sets the melody & positions, while the second variation includes more variation and articulation. Go to lesson...
Childgrove is a traditional English country dance, played in the key of Am. In this lesson. we’ll dive into an arrangement that works its way up the neck in part A, with plenty of triads and harmony, while playing down the neck in part B with the melody and deep tones really setting the mood. Go to lesson...
John Hardy is a traditional American folk song, and a session regular. In this lesson. we’ll dive into an arrangement that has 3 bluegrass style breaks, in the key of G. The first break is great for a kick off, and is also the easiest of the 3. As we progress, the breaks become more involved, and the 3rd break is up the neck and suited to the advanced picker. Go to lesson...
In this second instalment of Bluegrass Licks, we’ll dive into a more modal set of licks, in the key of G. We’ll focus on licks played over the G, D & F chords, while looking at how to link and transition between the chords. Our example chord progression is the old standard ‘Little Maggie’, but there are many great tunes and songs that feature the F chord in the key of G. Go to lesson...