In this third instalment of Bluegrass Licks on the mandolin, we’ll dive into an open position set of licks, in the key of G. In the lesson we’ll cover an example break, over 23 individual licks for the G, C & D chords plus the open position arpeggios and major blues and minor pentatonic scales that are used within the licks. Go to lesson...
Carolan’s Welcome is a traditional air (3/4), composed by Turlough O’Carolan. This arrangement on the mandolin is in the key of Am, is a great tremolo study and is well suited to the intermediate picker. All of O’Carolan’s melodies are beautiful and this is no exception. Played at a relatively moderate tempo, in the lesson we’ll break down the melody and technique and work through several exercises to help you get on top of the tremolo. Go to lesson...
In this lesson for Amazing Grace on the mandolin, we’ll look at an arrangement with 2 variations in the key of D. The first variation features chord melody and the second variation uses the tremolo technique in an easily movable position. The beautiful melody is relatively straight forward, but as we support it with the chordal harmony, it does become more challenging and is suited to the more advanced intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
Leather Britches is a great old-time fiddle tune, played at a medium/fast tempo, in the key of G. This arrangement features 2 variations for each section, played over a Texas Swing style backing. With a number of challenging techniques used throughout the tune, it’s well suited to the advanced picker. This is a fantastic tune to pick on the mandolin, jump into the lesson and we’ll break it down together. Go to lesson...
Tarbolton Reel is a traditional Scottish reel, played at a fast tempo, in the key of Em. Using both the dorian & aeolian minor scales, this arrangement features a nice mixture of ornamentation & rhythmic variation. Up to tempo, this is a challenging tune, well suited to the advanced picker. Jump into the lesson & we’ll break down the techniques and variations found within the arrangement. Go to lesson...
St Anne’s Reel is a popular bluegrass fiddle tune, played at a medium/fast tempo, in the key of D. This arrangement lays out a nice basic version of the tune, well suited to the intermediate picker, but also allows for the fingers to more easily get around the tune comfortably at a faster tempo. Go to lesson...
Salt Creek is a popular bluegrass fiddle tune, played at a fast tempo, in the key of A. This arrangement lays out a nice basic version of the tune, well suited to the intermediate picker, but also allows for the fingers to more easily get around the tune comfortably at a faster tempo. Go to lesson...
In this mandolin lesson, we’ll take a look at a blues lead break with two variations in the key of G, that utilises the blues scale, major blues scale, arpeggios, double stops, up and down the neck licks, call and response, plus a variety of articulation. Played over a 12 bar blues, there are a lot of great licks in this break, but be sure to check out all the other blues lessons on the mandolin at Pickin’ Lessons for more great lick ideas and in depth analysis of the scales, double stops and arpeggio patterns used throughout the solo. Go to lesson...
Midnight On The Water is a popular, traditional American waltz (3/4 time), composed by Luke Thomasson (C. 1900), in the key of D. This arrangement on the mandolin is well suited to the intermediate picker featuring double stops, tremolo, 3/4 time and a shuffle feel. It has a beautiful melody, played at a relaxed tempo and will be a great addition to your mandolin repertoire! Go to lesson...
The Cordal Jig is a traditional Irish jig in the key of D. This arrangement on the mandolin has two variations, a more basic version of the tune, plus an advanced version that features more embellishment and variation, and will be a great tune for the advancing intermediate picker. It is a fantastic melody to pick, played at an upbeat tempo and will be a great addition to your trad repertoire! Go to lesson...