Bobby Casey’s is a traditional hornpipe, heard as a slow reel, in the key of Am and this mandolin arrangement is a great fit for the intermediate picker. It’s played at a slow tempo but has some excellent rhythmic variations that will challenge your right-hand. As part of the full lesson we’ll break down the techniques required to fluently play the tune. 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...
The Sligo Maid is a fantastic traditional Irish reel in the key of Am (Dorian). Featuring some challenging techniques throughout the tune, paired with a faster tempo, this arrangement is well suited to the advanced intermediate picker. It’s a great trad reel and an excellent technique workout! 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...
The Kesh Jig is a traditional Irish jig in the key of G major. Played at a fast tempo and featuring some challenging right-hand picking, this tune is a great technique workout and is suited to the advanced picker. It’s a great traditional jig and one well worth having under your fingers! Go to lesson...
Jingle Bells on the mandolin! Featuring both the verse and chorus melodies, this arrangement is in the key of G and embellishes the melody in a Bluegrass style, up and down the neck. Featuring double stops, crosspicking, some bluesy passages and some great chord changes this version is suitable for the intermediate picker. 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...
Miss McLeod’s Reel is a great traditional Scottish reel in the key of G. This mandolin arrangement of the tune sits within one octave of the G major scale and is a great intermediate tune, played at a moderately fast tempo. While getting the tune up to tempo might be suited to the intermediate picker, the phrases and position of the melody are very accessible for the advanced beginner picker. Go to lesson...
The Boys of Malin is a fantastic traditional Irish reel in the key of A and this mandolin arrangement sits on strings 1 & 2 utilising the A major scale. There are 3 parts to the tune, played at a fast tempo and there are some demanding passages within the tune and is certainly suited to the advanced picker. 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...