Category Archives: Mandolin

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...

Salt Creek: Mandolin

 

Salt Creek is a great traditional fiddle tune and a popular session tune. In the key of A, the tune moves along at a quick tempo & this arrangement features 2 variations of the melody for both Part A & B. As part of this lesson, we’ll break down the ideas, which focus on the use of the mixolydian scale, with the addition of the minor 3rd. Go to lesson...

Good Natured Man: Mandolin

 

The Good Natured Man is a great traditional Irish Hornpipe. In the key of G, the tune moves along at a quick tempo & features many triplets within the melody. As part of this lesson, we’ll focus on the efficiency of the picking hand, specifically looking at the follow-through & alternating picking techniques, directly relating to the triplet. 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...

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...

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.
Go to lesson...

Merry Blacksmith, The: Mandolin

The Merry Blacksmith is a traditional Irish reel in the Key of D. In this lesson we’ll learn the melody with the addition of some advanced ornamentation including the grace note slur and triplet 16th notes, suiting the advanced intermediate student. The added ornaments certainly spice up the tune, giving it an extra flair.  Go to lesson...

Bonaparte Crossing The Rhine: Mandolin

Bonaparte Crossing The Rhine is a traditional tune in the key of D Major. There are 2 variations within this arrangement. Firstly, the basic melody, perfect for a beginner picker, but also a great variation for any level, as knowing the basic melody really helps develop your knowledge of the tune, plus sometimes less is more! The Go to lesson...

Ash Grove, The: Mandolin Lesson (Chord Melody)

In this Chord Melody mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at a pretty arrangement of a traditional waltz, The Ash Grove. The tune is in the key of D Major and the left hand chord positions can be quite a challenge. I would suggest this tune is for the advanced student, as placing the chords amongst the melody certainly makes the arrangement more difficult. Go to lesson...