Hangman’s Reel is a traditional fiddle tune, played in the key of A (capo 2) and has four parts. With French-Canadian origins and a popular old-time tune, it also works great in a bluegrass setting on the guitar. The arrangement features advanced techniques including some challenging crosspicking as part of the melody, great for the advanced picker. Go to lesson...
Fireball Mail is a bluegrass song, often played as an instrumental. This arrangement for the guitar explores two variations, in the key of G. The first is an intermediate take on the melody, sitting in the open position and utilises some great bluegrass licks. The second variation takes it up a notch, suited to the advancing picker and it becomes more adventurous with the rhythm, note choice, licks and moves up and down the neck. Go to lesson...
In this lesson, we’ll take a look at the popular fiddle tune, Liberty. In the key of D, it makes for a great study and features the D major scale and arpeggio throughout the melody. This arrangement is well suited to the advancing beginner and as part of the lesson, we’ll breakdown the techniques, chord progression and how it relates to the melody, plus learn some great exercises using the D major scale and arpeggio patterns that directly relate to this melody. Go to lesson...
Worried Man Blues is a traditional American/Bluegrass folk song, and this arrangement for the mandolin is in the key of G. Perfect for a kick-off or break, we’re taking the basic melody and adding a bunch of licks and variation, perfect for the intermediate picker! This is a companion lesson for the Beginner Bluegrass Licks lesson, where we discuss how to approach playing licks over this progression and break down some fundamental theory. Go to lesson...
Worried Man Blues is a traditional American/Bluegrass folk song, and this arrangement for the banjo is in the key of G (standard tuning). There are two variations in the arrangement, the first is perfect for a kick-off or break, and the second gets us up the neck while embellishing the melody with some added bluesy licks.
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane is a traditional American folk song and this arrangement is played in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2) but can easily be transposed with the capo. It’s a great bluegrass standard, and this arrangement features both Scruggs & melodic techniques as part of the melody, with 2 variations, great for the advancing intermediate picker.
In this lesson we break down a fun intermediate arrangement of the classic bluegrass fiddle tune Old Joe Clark. Played in the key of A with a capo on the 2nd fret, this version features the melody with strategic slurs, tasteful rhythm variations, and plenty of drive.
John Hardy is a well known bluegrass standard, popular in picking circles. In this lesson, we’ll learn a mandolin arrangement in the key of G, suited to the intermediate picker, but still quite accomodating for the beginner. Played at a moderate to fast tempo, the break features double stops and some great licks around the melody. Go to 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.
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...