Category Archives: Mandolin

Over The Waterfall: Mandolin Lesson

Over The Waterfall is a popular traditional tune, with a 2 part form, in the key of D and this arrangement contains two variations. The first variation is a basic version of the melody, well suited to the advancing beginner, while the second variation includes a typical embellished back & forth around the melody that you’ll here in many fiddle tunes by more seasoned pickers. In Go to lesson...

Cooley’s Reel: Mandolin Lesson

Cooley’s Reel is a traditional Irish reel in the key of Em (Dorian) and this arrangement contains two variations. It has a great feel and features some difficult passages that use arpeggios, triplet slurs and pedal tones, all while giving your right-hand a brilliant work out. While a challenge for the advanced picker, Cooley’s Reel is super fun to play & sounds great! Go to lesson...

Colonel John Irwin: (Chord Melody) Mandolin Lesson

Colonel John Irwin is an Air, composed by Turlough O’Carolan. There are two parts to the tune, in the key of D and this arrangement is played in the chord melody style. With a very pretty melody, the chord melody structure adds another layer to the mix, giving it great depth and is a tune well suited to the advanced picker. Go to lesson...

Maid Behind The Bar: Mandolin Lesson

The Maid Behind The Bar is a traditional Irish reel, with a 2 part form, in the key of D.  While an easy tune to pick up with a sweet melody, the tempo is fast, making it a great tune for the advanced picker wanting a challenge! In the lesson, we’ll cover the important techniques to focus on to help you get the tune up to speed.  Go to lesson...

Da New Rigged Ship: Mandolin Lesson

Da New Rigged Ship is a traditional Scottish reel, with a 3 part form. Part A & C are in Am (dorian), while part B modulates into A Major. There are two variations within the arrangement, the basic melody and a more advanced variation, featuring some great rhythm ornamentation. While the basic melody is easy enough to pick, this tune would suit the advanced picker due to the tempo and will be a great addition to your repertoire.  Go to lesson...

O’Carolan’s Draught: Mandolin Lesson

O’Carolan’s Draught is a tune, composed by Turlough O’Carolan and this arrangement is in the key of G. The tune has a very sweet melody, played at a medium tempo giving us the opportunity to be expressive while playing the melody with some dynamic contrast. Containing some excellent picking passages that include a little cross picking, this tune will be a really lovely addition to your repertoire. Go to lesson...

Monaghan Jig: Mandolin Lesson

The Monaghan Jig is an awesome tune in the key of Em, played at a fast tempo and suited to the  advanced picker. There are four parts to the tune, each presenting their own challenges; arpeggios, picking technique, 16th note rhythms plus ensuring the 6/8 feel is accented. Spend some time on this tune, it will certainly develop your picking and will be a great addition to your repertoire! Go to lesson...