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...
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...
Happy Birthday on the mandolin! This arrangement is in the key of G and features four variations of varying difficulty. Approached in a bluegrass style, the first variation is in the traditional 3/4 time signature, great for the beginner and features the melody using the tremolo technique. The second variation moves into cut common time with a typical bluegrass feel, embellishing the melody to suit and is great for the beginner/intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
Cherokee Shuffle is a popular American fiddle tune, played in the key of A. This is the third version here at Pickin’ Lessons on the mandolin and is a variation that approaches the melody in a more basic way, while still capturing the essence of the tune. Well suited to the intermediate picker, this arrangement is also beginner friendly while being a handy variation for the more advanced picker when playing at faster tempos. Go to lesson...
Campbell’s Farewell is a great traditional Scottish march in the key of A (Mixolydian), but is also popular in the American tradition played as a reel. This mandolin arrangement of the tune is approached at the reel tempo and the phrases sit primarily in the A Mixolydian scale on strings 1 & 2. Go to lesson...
Whiskey Before Breakfast is a wonderful traditional fiddle tune in the key of D and very popular amongst bluegrass pickers. This arrangement of the tune is beginner friendly, capturing the essence of the tune, while keeping the phrases on the easier side, making it quite accessible for the beginner picker. In the lesson we’ll break down how to approach the tune and work through the techniques you’ll need to focus on. Go to lesson...
Go Tell It On The Mountain is a traditional Gospel Christmas Carol. This arrangement on the mandolin is in the key of G, played at a medium tempo, and will be a great tune for the advancing beginner picker. It is a wonderful melody, played at a medium tempo and will be a great addition to your Christmas repertoire! Go to lesson...
Southwind is a traditional Irish waltz, played in the key of G. It has a very beautiful melody that we’ll first learn in its basic form, then spice it up with a chord melody arrangement that also features a little crosspicking. While the basic melody is very simple, I’d suggest the more advanced variation of the tune is suited to the intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
Over The Waterfall is a popular traditional tune, with a 2 part form, in the key of D and this arrangement contains two variations. The first variation is a basic version of the melody, well suited to the advancing beginner, while the second variation includes a typical embellished back & forth around the melody that you’ll here in many fiddle tunes by more seasoned pickers. In Go to lesson...