Category Archives: Mandolin – Chords, Scales & Theory

Arpeggio Licks: Mandolin

In this mandolin lesson we’ll follow up the Mandolin Arpeggios 101 mini-course by learning and analysing 13 licks that feature & focus on arpeggios. Make sure you’ve learnt the arpeggio patterns in the previous lesson, as in this lesson we won’t spend much time on the patterns, but rather analyse how to use them. Go to lesson...

Arpeggio Study No.1: Mandolin

As part of the lesson series covering arpeggios, this piece in the key of Dm, Arpeggio Study No.1, focuses on covering minor, major & dom7 arpeggios, found in the open position & up the neck. While the piece uses arpeggios exclusively, there is also an important focus on left-hand position & right-hand picking technique. Go to lesson...

Arpeggios | Blending With Minor Scales | Mandolin

In this mandolin lesson we’ll follow up the Mandolin Arpeggios 101 mini-course & Arpeggio Licks Lesson by learning and analysing a variety of licks that feature & focus on arpeggios, while blending with the natural minor & harmonic minor scales. Make sure you’ve learnt the arpeggio patterns & licks in the previous lessons, as in this lesson we won’t spend much time on the patterns, but rather analyse how to blend them with the minor scales. Go to lesson...

Arpeggios 101: Mandolin

Arpeggios are broken chords, in other words, the notes used to form a chord, played individually. Understanding how arpeggios are built and fluently being able to play many arpeggio variations will help your playing on all levels – improv, melody creation/analysis, building harmony lines, back-up…

In this Mandolin Arpeggios 101 mini-course, we’ll cover:

  • Common intervals used in arpeggios;
  • Open position major & minor arpeggios;
  • Movable major & minor arpeggios;
  • 4 note extensions – movable major 7, minor 7 & dominant 7 arpeggios;
  • Learn an example solo, using only arpeggio notes from each chord change;
  • Plus, strategies for developing the use of arpeggios in your own playing.
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Arpeggios: Mandolin Lesson

G’day! In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at some of the major & minor arpeggios found on the mandolin. Arpeggios form an important part of melody & improvisation, so it’s well worth getting your finger’s around them! The first video lesson focuses on the open position patterns, and in the second video we’ll take a look at movable arpeggios. Go to lesson...

Chop Chord Shortcuts: Mandolin

Are you having trouble playing the 4 finger chop chord? Well this lesson is for you! Here we’ll take a look at easy ways to play chop chords using only 2 or 3 notes. The lesson has 3 parts:

  1. In the first lesson we’ll take a look at 3 easy major chop chords and practice playing along in a standard I IV V chord progression.
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Cordal Jig: Mandolin Lesson

The Cordal Jig  is a traditional Irish jig in the key of D. This arrangement on the mandolin has two variations, a more basic version of the tune, plus an advanced version that features more embellishment and variation, and will be a great tune for the advancing intermediate picker. It is a fantastic melody to pick, played at an upbeat tempo and will be a great addition to your trad repertoire! Go to lesson...

Fretboard Freedom 101: The Musical Alphabet

Fretboard Freedom: The Musical Alphabet is the first lesson in a course that will help you unlock the fretboard, enabling you to find any note, double stop, chord, scale, arpeggio in any position. It will give you the freedom to find your way in any key and have the ability to transpose/reposition breaks, melodies & chord progressions and improve your ability to improvise. Go to lesson...

Hot Pentatonic Licks: Mandolin Lesson

G’day! In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at several bluesy Hot Pentatonic Licks! The licks are built using the minor pentatonic scale, blues scale and the minor pentatonic scale with the added major 3. As part of this lesson we’ll dive into a little theory to help you understand how to use these licks and also start to build your own! Go to lesson...

Movable Major Pentatonic Scale: Mandolin Lesson

Learn to play the first pattern from the ‘Mandolin Pentatonic Scales’ worksheet in this video lesson! Knowing how to play movable patterns on the mandolin is crucial in any style of music. In these videos you will learn how to play the first and second scales and also how to move them to different keys all over the fretboard. Go to lesson...

Scales & Technical Practice | Mandolin | Level 1

A course focusing on mandolin technique including scales, arpeggios, chords, rhythm, improvisation, speed development, general technique exercises & sight-reading.

Scales & Technical Work should form an important, structured part of your practice routine. It will improve your general technique, practical theory knowledge, improvisation, understanding of melody & harmony, rhythm, tone, and so on. Go to lesson...

Scales & Technical Practice | Overview

Scales & Technical Work should form an important, structured part of your practice routine. It will improve your general technique, practical theory knowledge, improvisation, understanding of melody & harmony, rhythm, tone, and so on.

Check out the Pickin’ Lessons structured, 2 part, scales & technical practice below. Give it a shot & I’m positive you’ll find yourself moving forward in no time! Go to lesson...