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. As part of this lesson we’ll go through the theory behind each variation, looking at the thinking behind building a break into several variations.
‘Mountain Dew’ is a fun session sing-along, one of my favourites! Get your fingers around this version and you’ll be able to jump in and lay down a tasty mandolin break, in any key! Plus, with the extra theory knowledge and understanding, you’ll be able to start building your own breaks for this and other melodies!
Supplementary info on how to find any note on the mandolin fretboard can be found here at Fretboard Freedom: Mandolin. This will help you place the movable breaks in any key you need.
More info on the double stop chord shapes used in the break can be found here at Double Stops: Mandolin Lesson.
The first video lesson is available free below.The full lesson is available to members, which:
- Includes 3 video lessons;
- Includes the PDF tab/notation for the entire break, plus the tech worksheet showing the 2 scale patterns used in the break;
- Also includes MP3 play-along & backing tracks for 3 tempos.
Full membership gives you access to all video lessons, tabs & charts!
The PDF tab/notation & tech worksheet only is also available to purchase separately below:
Lesson #1:
- Learn the break for the first variation (basic melody);
- Learn the major pentatonic scale pattern used for the melody;
- Exercises for rhythm and both left & right hands.
Lesson #2:
- Learn the break for the second variation (basic melody w/double stops);
- Learn the double stops used in this variation;
- Exercises for rhythm and both left & right hands;
- How to transpose the 1st & 2nd variations.
Mountain Dew (Build A Break): Mandolin Lesson #2
Lesson #3:
- Learn the break for the third variation (melody w/double stops & added passing notes);
- Learn the major blues scale pattern (3 octaves) used in this variation;
- Exercises for rhythm and both left & right hands.
- How to transpose this variation.
Mountain Dew (Build A Break): Mandolin Lesson #3
Lesson #4:
Members Only- MP3 play-along & backing tracks at 3 tempos.