In this mandolin lesson we’ll look at a movable break for ‘Warfaring Stranger’ using the minor pentatonic scale, double stops & tremolo. Wayfaring Stranger has a wonderful melody, but being a song, can be played in many different keys, usually chosen by the vocalist. Having a break that you can easily transpose is a very handy thing to have up your sleeve. Go to lesson...
Category Archives: Mandolin
‘Waltz Time’ Licks: Mandolin Lesson
In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at some ‘Waltz Time’ Licks using the blues scale, major blues scale and arpeggios. Waltz time is the 3/4 time signature & all of these examples are in the key of A, but are movable in both open & closed positions. Other techniques we’ll be focusing on are down stroke picking, double stops & tremolo. Go to lesson...
Blues Licks: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at some Blues Licks using the blues scale, major blues scale and arpeggios for the chords in the 12 bar blues, played in G. Other techniques we’ll be focusing on are down stroke picking, double stops & tremolo. The licks & concepts in this lesson will be suited to the advancing intermediate picker, wanting to develop their improvising skills. Go to lesson...
Star of Munster: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this Star of Munster: Mandolin Lesson, we’ll take a look at an arrangement of this traditional Celtic reel for the advancing beginner/intermediate picker. The tune is played in the key of Am (dorian mode).
A feature of this tune is the consistent 8th note rhythm structure, which makes for a great picking study, but also gives the tune a real drive. Go to lesson...
Fill Licks #2: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this Fill Licks #2: Mandolin Lesson we’ll take a look at 6 movable licks that are built with the hybrid mixolydian blues scale. Make sure you’ve checked out the first Fill Licks: Mandolin Lesson as we are using the same scales, arpeggio patterns & theory when playing these new licks. Go to lesson...
Fill Licks: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this Fill Licks: Mandolin Lesson we’ll take a look at 4 movable licks that are built with the hybrid mixolydian blues scale. These licks work great when played between vocal phrases in a song, but can also be used in general improvisation. The licks are all positioned conveniently around their equivalent chop chord. Go to lesson...
Cumberland Gap: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at the traditional fiddle tune, Cumberland Gap. A challenging, faster tempo bluegrass tune played in the Key of G. There are several variations within the break and is a challenging tune for the advanced picker. In this lesson we’ll break down how to play the tune, focusing on some exercises for fluency and exploring ideas to increase your tempo. Go to lesson...
Morrison’s Jig: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at the traditional Irish tune, Morrison’s Jig. A challenging jig, the tune is in E Dorian, a minor mode. Being the 2nd mode of D Major, it shares the same key signature and contains the notes E F# G A B C# D. Go to lesson...
Congress Reel: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at the traditional Irish tune, Congress Reel. A challenging reel, the tune is in A Dorian, a minor mode. Being the 2nd mode of G Major, it shares the same key signature and contains the notes A B C D E F# G. Go to lesson...
Back Side of Albany: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this Back Side of Albany: Mandolin Lesson, we’ll take a look at a fun & challenging arrangement for the beginner & intermediate picker, containing 2 variations of the melody for both Part A & B. Back Side of Albany is a traditional American reel in the key of Em (dorian). Go to lesson...