King Of The Fairies is a traditional Irish hornpipe, in the key of Em. This arrangement is well suited to the intermediate picker with a nice variety of articulation, rhythm variation and ornaments. It has a very intriguing melody, which is really great to play on the mandolin and in this lesson we’ll cover how to capture the hornpipe feel and the challenging melody we’re faced with. Go to lesson...
In this mandolin lesson, we’ll take a look at O’Carolan #174, written by the blind Irish harpist Turlough O’Carolan in the 17th century. Well suited to the advancing beginner picker, the tune serves as a perfect study to develop right-hand technique in the 6/8 time signature. The title, devoid of a specific name, reflects the historical convention of cataloging O’Carolan’s vast repertoire by number. Go to lesson...
Turkey In The Straw is an American folk song with a well known melody, commonly played as a tune in a bluegrass session. It’s a popular tune is in the key of G, and this is the second arrangement found on Pickin’ Lessons. The first is a beginner friendly version, while in this arrangement, we’ll up the ante, filling in the space in a typical fiddle tune style, ending up with a more challenging version which is great fun to play! Go to lesson...
‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ is a beautiful Christmas carol and in this mandolin lesson, we’ll learn a lovely chord melody arrangement. In the key of G, the melody is supported by 2 & 3 part harmony, with some challenging chord positions, which would be suited too the advanced intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
John Ryan’s Polka is a well known traditional Irish polka, played in the key of D. In this lesson, we’ll cover the basic melody, but as simple as the melody is, we’ll then turn our attention to increasing speed in our playing. We’ll cover several speed exercises and an important strategy to help in your progress. Go to lesson...
Cripple Creek is a popular bluegrass tune, played in the key of A. In this arrangement, we’ll cover four variations, beginning with an intermediate version, progressing into advanced variations that include some great techniques, double stops and bluesy embellishments on the melody. It’s a great tune, popular with banjo pickers, and with this mandolin break, you’ll keep up with the best of them! Go to lesson...
Eleanor Plunkett is an Air (3/4), composed by Turlough O’Carolan and in the key of G. It has a very sweet melody, moves along gently and very rewarding to play. This arrangement is in a chord melody style, well suited to the intermediate picker wanting a challenge and sounds great played solo or with accompaniment, take your pick! Go to lesson...
The Boys of Ballycastle is a traditional Irish hornpipe in the key of Em. In this fun arrangement for the intermediate picker, we’ll cover various ornaments & rhythmic variation within the melody; plus it’s a great exercise for the left-hand using all four fingers on the open position. Jump into the lesson & we’ll break down the tune together. Go to lesson...
Trip To Sligo has a beautiful, yet haunting melody and in this lesson we’ll take a look at an arrangement on the mandolin in the key of Em. In 6/8 time (Jig), there are some challenging right-hand picking combinations, plus some great arpeggio & scale movement, making this lesson suitable for an intermediate picker. 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...