Using the major & minor 3rd interval patterns to gain fretboard freedom is a crucial and quick step to build arpeggios, double stops & develop your improvising anywhere on the fretboard. By using the interval patterns and your knowledge of the notes on the fretboard (see Fretboard Freedom 101: The Musical Alphabet) it becomes quite simple to unlock any chord, arpeggio, double stop, etc. Go to lesson...
Category Archives: Mandolin
Hot Major Blues Licks: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at nine hot licks that are built with the major blues scale. We’re in the key of G for this lesson, with licks over the G, C & D chords in both the open position and up the neck. As part of this lesson we’ll dive into a little theory (major blues scale in open & movable patterns, plus the major arpeggio found inside the scale) to help you understand how to use these licks and also start to build your own! Go to lesson...
Arkansas Traveler: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this jam packed Arkansas Traveler: Mandolin Lesson, we’ll take a look at a fun & challenging arrangement for the intermediate/advanced picker. The arrangement has 2 variations of the melody for both Part A & B. Arkansas Traveler is a traditional fiddle tune in the key of D.
The first variation is a basic version of the melody with a handful of tricky licks for the advancing beginner/intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
Ten Penny Bit: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this Ten Penny Bit: Mandolin Lesson, we’ll take a look at the melody of the tune. The Ten Penny Bit is a traditional Irish Jig in the key of Am (dorian), sharing the same key signature as G (F#).The left hand note combinations are relatively straight forward, but is quite a challenge for your right hand! Go to lesson...
Rolling Waves, The: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In The Rolling Waves: Mandolin Lesson, we’ll take a look at the basic melody of the tune for the intermediate picker. The Rolling Waves is a traditional Irish jig in the key of D. It has a sweet melody, while the 6/8 time signature presents a challenge for the technique. Go to lesson...
Mountain Dew (Build A Break): Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this Build A Break mandolin lesson for ‘Mountain Dew’, we’ll take a look at 3 variations, starting out with the basic melody (beginner), adding double stops to the melody (intermediate) and finishing with melody, double stops & added passing notes (advanced).
The arrangement is in the key of Bb, and is a movable break. Go to lesson...
Angel Band: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this mandolin lesson for ‘Angel Band’, we’ll take a look at an advancing intermediate arrangement of the song, using double stops, in a movable pattern (Key of B). The arrangement has 2 variations, one each for the verse & chorus melodies.
‘Angel Band’ is a popular, old gospel song that is always a great session sing-along! Go to lesson...
Foxhunters, The: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In The Foxhunters: Mandolin Lesson, we’ll take a look at the basic melody of the tune at an intermediate level. The Foxhunters is a traditional Irish Slip Jig (9/8 time) in the key of D. The left hand note combinations are relatively straight forward, but is quite a challenge for your right hand! Go to lesson...
Devil’s Dream: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this Devil’s Dream: Mandolin Lesson, we’ll take a look at the basic melody of the tune for the advancing beginner/intermediate picker. Devil’s Dream is a traditional fiddle tune in the key of A. It has challenging left hand note combinations featuring both arpeggios and scale passages and is a great work out for your right hand, crossing strings during many 8th note passages, but is darn fun to play & a great session tune! Go to lesson...
Drowsy Maggie: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this Drowsy Maggie: Mandolin Lesson, we’ll take a look at the basic melody of the tune. Drowsy Maggie is a traditional Irish Reel in the key of Em (dorian), sharing the same key signature as D (F# & C#). It has challenging left hand note combinations and is a great work out for your right hand, crossing strings during many 8th note passages, but is darn fun to play! Go to lesson...