Tag Archives: Bluegrass

Happy Birthday: Mandolin Lesson

Happy Birthday on the mandolin! This arrangement is in the key of G and features four variations of varying difficulty. Approached in a bluegrass style, the first variation is in the traditional 3/4 time signature, great for the beginner and features the melody using the tremolo technique. The second variation moves into cut common time with a typical bluegrass feel, embellishing the melody to suit and is great for the beginner/intermediate picker. Go to lesson...

Cherokee Shuffle (V3): Banjo Lesson

Cherokee Shuffle is a popular American fiddle tune, played in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2). This is the third version here at Pickin’ Lessons on the banjo and is a variation that approaches the melody in a more basic way, using the single-string & melodic techniques, while still capturing the essence of the tune.

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Cherokee Shuffle (V4): Guitar Lesson

Cherokee Shuffle is a popular American fiddle tune, played in the key of A (capo 2). This is the fourth arrangement here at Pickin’ Lessons on the guitar and is a variation that approaches the melody in a more advanced way, highlighting the melody while introducing some great bluegrass licks and movement all around the neck. Go to lesson...

Cherokee Shuffle (Basic): Mandolin Lesson

Cherokee Shuffle is a popular American fiddle tune, played in the key of A. This is the third version here at Pickin’ Lessons on the mandolin and is a variation that approaches the melody in a more basic way, while still capturing the essence of the tune. Well suited to the intermediate picker, this arrangement is also beginner friendly while being a handy variation for the more advanced picker when playing at faster tempos. Go to lesson...

Soldier’s Joy (Beginner): Melodic Banjo Lesson

Soldier’s Joy is a wonderful traditional fiddle tune in the key of D and very popular amongst bluegrass pickers. This banjo arrangement of the tune is a beginner friendly version, using the melodic technique and played in standard open G tuning. Capturing the essence of the tune while keeping the phrases on the easier side, it is quite accessible for the beginner picker and a great way to approach the melody.

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Jingle Bells: Guitar Lesson

Jingle Bells on the guitar! Featuring both the verse and chorus melodies, this arrangement is in the key of G and embellishes the melody in a Bluegrass style. Featuring some great Bluegrass licks, crosspicking, bluesy passages and some fun chord changes this version is suitable for the intermediate picker. It’s a great Christmas Carol and one well worth having under your fingers during the holiday season! Go to lesson...

Jingle Bells: Mandolin Lesson

Jingle Bells on the mandolin! Featuring both the verse and chorus melodies, this arrangement is in the key of G and embellishes the melody in a Bluegrass style, up and down the neck. Featuring double stops, crosspicking, some bluesy passages and some great chord changes this version is suitable for the intermediate picker. Go to lesson...

Jingle Bells: Banjo Lesson

Jingle Bells on the banjo! Featuring both the verse and chorus melodies, this arrangement is in the key of G (standard tuning) and uses both the Scruggs style and melodic techniques, suited to the intermediate picker. It’s a great Christmas Carol and one well worth having under your fingers during the holiday season!

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Soldier’s Joy: Beginner Guitar Lesson (D)

Soldier’s Joy is a wonderful traditional fiddle tune in the key of D and very popular amongst bluegrass pickers. This arrangement of the tune is a beginner friendly version, played in the D position (no capo), capturing the essence of the tune while keeping the phrases on the easier side, making it quite accessible for the beginner picker and a great way to approach the tune without the capo. Go to lesson...

Whiskey Before Breakfast: Beginner Melodic Banjo Lesson

Whiskey Before Breakfast is a wonderful traditional fiddle tune in the key of D and very popular amongst bluegrass pickers. This melodic banjo arrangement of the tune is in standard open G tuning and beginner friendly, capturing the essence of the tune, while keeping the phrases on the easier side, making it quite accessible for the beginner picker.

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