Tag Archives: American

Old Joe Clark (V2): Banjo Lesson

Old Joe Clark is a popular traditional American tune, played in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2). It’s a great bluegrass banjo standard, and this is the second version here on the site. The arrangement features both Scruggs & melodic techniques as part of the melody, great for the intermediate picker.

Go to lesson...

Salt Creek (w/ Harmony): Guitar Lesson

Salt Creek is a classic bluegrass fiddle tune, and you can never have too many versions! This guitar arrangement in A (capo 2) features both a melody and harmony break that combine into a fantastic variation.

In this lesson, we’ll learn both parts plus a harmonised tag. Played at a fast tempo with some challenging passages, it’s ideal for advanced intermediate pickers. Go to lesson...

Salt Creek (V3): Banjo Lesson

Salt Creek is a quick tempo, trad American tune, played in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2). It’s a great bluegrass banjo standard, and this arrangement features both Scruggs & melodic techniques as part of the melody, great for the advancing intermediate picker. You can also check out the advanced melodic arrangement that has two variations here: https://pickinlessons.com/salt-creek-melodic-banjo/

Go to lesson...

Lazy John: Mandolin Lesson

Lazy John is a traditional Old Time/Bluegrass song that has a wonderful melody. In this lesson, we’ll learn a mandolin arrangement that contains two variations for both parts A & B, in the key of G. Played at a moderate tempo we’ll move up & down the neck with some great variations, suited to the advancing intermediate picker. Go to lesson...

Mountain Dew: Banjo Lesson

Mountain Dew is a fantastic traditional Appalachian folk song, popular in bluegrass circles. This arrangement on the banjo has 2 variations, featuring both the Scruggs & melodic techniques, with a bunch of great lick ideas, recorded in the key of G (standard tuning), but can be transposed easily with a capo.

Go to lesson...

Shuckin’ The Corn: Banjo Lesson

Shuckin’ The Corn is a quick tempo, trad American tune, played in the key of G (standard tuning). It’s a great bluegrass banjo standard, and this banjo arrangement features both Scruggs & melodic techniques as part of the melody, blending the two in four variations, great for the advanced picker. Jump in to the lesson and we’ll learn the parts together. 

Go to lesson...

Ragtime Annie: Banjo Lesson

Ragtime Annie is a quick tempo, trad fiddle tune, played in the key of D (capo 2 – standard tuning). It’s a great session tune, and this banjo arrangement features the melodic technique and some good old 3-finger rolls as part of the melody, making it a fun tune to pick, great for the intermediate picker.

Go to lesson...

Campbell’s Farewell: Mandolin 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...

Campbell’s Farewell: Melodic Banjo Lesson

Campbell’s Farewell is a great traditional Scottish march in the key of A (Mixolydian) (capo 2 – standard tuning), but is also popular in the American tradition played as a reel. This melodic banjo arrangement of the tune is approached at the reel tempo and the phrases sit around the G melodic scale position.

Go to lesson...

Midnight On The Water: Guitar 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 guitar is in open D tuning (DADF#AD) and is well suited to the intermediate picker. It has a beautiful melody, played at a relaxed tempo and will be a great addition to your guitar repertoire! Go to lesson...