Tag Archives: Bluegrass

Beginner Bluegrass Licks (Part 2): Mandolin Lesson

In part two of this lesson, we’ll continue to learn some great beginner friendly bluegrass licks on the mandolin! Firstly, the example solo/licks in this lesson are in the key of G, played over the chord progression from Old Home Place. The chord progression offers the opportunity to look at chords that are from outside the key signature and ideas on approaching the overall progression. Go to lesson...

Hand Me Down My Walking Cane: Banjo Lesson

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.

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Beginner Bluegrass Licks: Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, we’ll learn some great beginner bluegrass licks on the guitar, perfect for an introduction in the style for the intermediate picker! Firstly, the example solo/licks are in the key of G, played over the chord progression from Worried Man Blues. As part of the full lesson we’ll break down all the lick ideas, plus cover some important detail in the scales, arpeggios and blue notes for each of the chords in the progression.  Go to lesson...

Beginner Bluegrass Licks: Mandolin Lesson

In this lesson, we’ll learn some great beginner bluegrass licks on the mandolin, perfect for an introduction in the style for the intermediate picker! Firstly, the example solo/licks are in the key of G, played over the chord progression from Worried Man Blues. As part of the full lesson we’ll break down all the lick ideas, plus cover some important detail in the scales, arpeggios and blue notes for each of the chords in the progression.  Go to lesson...

Hangman’s Reel: Banjo Lesson

Hangman’s Reel is a traditional fiddle tune, played in the key of A (standard tuning – 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 banjo. The arrangement features both Scruggs & melodic techniques as part of the melody, great for the advanced picker. 

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John Hardy: Mandolin Lesson

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 (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.

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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/

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