Tag Archives: Double Stops

Mandolin Essentials #4: Linking Double Stops-Part 1

In the fourth Mandolin Essentials lesson, we’ll cover how to link double stops with scales & arpeggios in one streamlined position. It’s an important skill for improvisation, melody/break construction, fill licks, etc. If you’re wanting to improve your improv, having a sound knowledge of these closed position patterns will grow your mandolin muscles ready for the next time a break comes along…in any key! Go to lesson...

O Come All Ye Faithful: (Chord Melody) Christmas Mandolin Lesson

‘O Come All Ye faithful’ is a beautiful Christmas carol and in this chord melody mandolin lesson, we’ll learn a variation that supports the melody in 2 part harmony (double stops). In the key of G, the dynamic rise and falls create a lovely sense of contrast to the piece. The melody is simple, but as we spice it up with these harmonies & dynamic contrast, it is a beautiful way to play the tune and a great addition to your Christmas repertoire!  Go to lesson...

102 Mandolin Essentials

Welcome to the Pickin’ Lessons Mandolin Essentials Series.

In this mandolin series, we’ll cover important information that I believe will make you a better, more well rounded mandolin player. From working on building your knowledge of the fretboard, keys found in the open position, movable patterns, chords, rhythms, improvisation, useful theory and other similar topics, you will certainly grow your mandolin skills and understanding.

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Joy To The World: Christmas Mandolin

In this lesson for Joy To The World on the mandolin, we’ll take a look at a fun arrangement of the Christmas Carol played in a bluegrass style, for the both the intermediate & advanced picker. 

In the key of A, there are 2 versions inside this arrangement. The first is a basic version of the melody with plenty of space in the rhythm & a little extra bluegrass flavour added. Go to lesson...

Lesson 07 – Beginner Mandolin Crash Course (Wayfaring Stranger & Key of Am)

In this seventh instalment of the beginner mandolin crash course, we’ll cover:

  • The A Natural & Harmonic Minor Scales, and the Am Arpeggio;
  • Chords relative to the key of Am and Wayfaring Stranger;
  • Double Stops;
  • Tremolo technique;
  • And finally, we’ll learn 2 versions of ‘Wayfaring Stranger’, a popular folk song. (Basic & Embellished).
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Wayfaring Stranger: Mandolin Lesson

In this mandolin lesson we’ll look at a movable break for ‘Warfaring Stranger’ using the minor pentatonic scale, double stops & tremolo. Wayfaring Stranger has a wonderful melody, but being a song, can be played in many different keys, usually chosen by the vocalist. Having a break that you can easily transpose is a very handy thing to have up your sleeve. Go to lesson...

Mountain Dew (Build A Break): Mandolin Lesson

G’day! In this Build A Break mandolin lesson for ‘Mountain Dew’, we’ll take a look at 3 variations, starting out with the basic melody (beginner), adding double stops to the melody (intermediate) and finishing with melody, double stops & added passing notes (advanced).

The arrangement is in the key of Bb, and is a movable break. Go to lesson...

Angel Band: Mandolin Lesson

G’day! In this mandolin lesson for ‘Angel Band’, we’ll take a look at an advancing intermediate arrangement of the song, using double stops, in a movable pattern (Key of B). The arrangement has 2 variations, one each for the verse & chorus melodies.

‘Angel Band’ is a popular, old gospel song that is always a great session sing-along! Go to lesson...

Life’s Railway To Heaven: Mandolin Lesson

G’day! In this mandolin lesson for ‘Life’s Railway To Heaven’, we’ll take a look at an advancing intermediate arrangement of the song, using double stops, in a movable pattern (Key of C). The arrangement has 2 variations, one each for the verse & chorus melodies.

‘Life’s Railway To Heaven’ is a popular, old gospel song that is always a great session sing-along! Go to lesson...

Sweet By And By: Mandolin Lesson

G’day! In this mandolin lesson for ‘In The Sweet By And By’, we’ll take a look at an intermediate arrangement of the song, using double stops, in a movable pattern (Key of C). The arrangement has 2 variations, one each for the verse & chorus melodies.

‘In The Sweet By And By’ is a popular, old gospel song that is always a great session sing-along! Go to lesson...