Tag Archives: Bluegrass

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.

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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. 

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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.

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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...