Hangman’s Reel is a traditional fiddle tune, played in the key of A and has four parts. With French-Canadian origins and a popular old-time tune, it also works great in a bluegrass setting on the mandolin. This is the second version here at Pickin’ Lessons and this arrangement is well suited to the advanced picker. Go to lesson...
Carolan’s Cottage is a traditional Irish tune composed by Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738). Played as an Air in 3/4 time, this arrangement for the mandolin is in the key of Am. It has a slow, beautiful melody, featuring some pretty ornamentation and is well suited to the intermediate picker. Jump into the lesson and we’ll break down the tune together. Go to lesson...
In this lesson, we’ll take a look at the popular fiddle tune, Liberty. In the key of D, it makes for a great study and features the D major scale and arpeggio throughout the melody. This arrangement is well suited to the advancing beginner and as part of the lesson, we’ll breakdown the techniques, chord progression and how it relates to the melody, plus learn some great exercises using the D major scale and arpeggio patterns that directly relate to this melody. Go to lesson...
Worried Man Blues is a traditional American/Bluegrass folk song, and this arrangement for the mandolin is in the key of G. Perfect for a kick-off or break, we’re taking the basic melody and adding a bunch of licks and variation, perfect for the intermediate picker! This is a companion lesson for the Beginner Bluegrass Licks lesson, where we discuss how to approach playing licks over this progression and break down some fundamental theory. Go to lesson...
In part two of this lesson, we’ll continue to learn some great beginner friendly bluegrass licks on the mandolin! Firstly, the example solo/licks in this lesson are in the key of G, played over the chord progression from Old Home Place. The chord progression offers the opportunity to look at chords that are from outside the key signature and ideas on approaching the overall progression. Go to lesson...
In this lesson, we’ll learn some great beginner bluegrass licks on the mandolin, perfect for an introduction in the style for the intermediate picker! Firstly, the example solo/licks are in the key of G, played over the chord progression from Worried Man Blues. As part of the full lesson we’ll break down all the lick ideas, plus cover some important detail in the scales, arpeggios and blue notes for each of the chords in the progression. Go to lesson...
John Hardy is a well known bluegrass standard, popular in picking circles. In this lesson, we’ll learn a mandolin arrangement in the key of G, suited to the intermediate picker, but still quite accomodating for the beginner. Played at a moderate to fast tempo, the break features double stops and some great licks around the melody. Go to lesson...
Sweet Georgia Brown is a well known jazz standard, popular in bluegrass circles (jazzgrass). In this lesson, we’ll learn a mandolin arrangement for the head (melody) in the key of G. Played at a moderate to fast tempo we’ll learn the melody with some great licks thrown in, suited to the advancing picker. Go to lesson...
Lazy John is a traditional Old Time/Bluegrass song that has a wonderful melody. In this lesson, we’ll learn a mandolin arrangement that contains two variations for both parts A & B, in the key of G. Played at a moderate tempo we’ll move up & down the neck with some great variations, suited to the advancing intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
Smash The Windows is a fun traditional Irish jig, played at a lively tempo, in the key of D. Jigs always sound great on the mandolin, in 6/8 time, this arrangement is a great intermediate tune, featuring the common jig rhythms, picking patterns and a handful of slurs to add some extra flavour. Go to lesson...