Kitchen Girl is a traditional American Old-Time tune, in the key of A (mixolydian) in Part A and moves to Am in Part B, making it a great modal tune. This arrangement is well suited to the intermediate picker, with some fun rhythm variations. With the key change from part A to B, this is a fantastic tune to pick, with a very interesting melody! Go to lesson...
Blackberry Blossom is a popular bluegrass fiddle tune in the key of G. In this lesson, we’ll look at a straight ahead, basic version of the melody, well suited to the intermediate flatpicker. You’ll need to have a solid technique in both hands to play this tune well, and if you have a solid grasp of the open position G major scale, it will certainly help. Go to lesson...
Turkey In The Straw is a well known bluegrass fiddle tune in the key of G (standard tuning). This is the second version for the banjo on Pickin’ Lessons and in this arrangement the melody is embellished making for a very challenging tune to pick! Featuring the melodic technique, with a little Scruggs style, this version is certainly for the advanced picker, but is an awesome technique workout!
Big Sciota is a great bluegrass fiddle tune in the key of G. This is the second version on Pickin’ Lessons and in this arrangement we’ll compare the melodic & single-string techniques using the identical melody for each of the techniques. Each technique has its advantages and is suited at different times, but in this direct comparison, you’ll be able to try out each and compare them for yourself.
Whiskey Before Breakfast is a wonderful fiddle tune, a real standard in Bluegrass sessions. This is the second arrangement on Pickin’ Lessons, and is a nice basic, straight ahead version of the tune, well suited to playing at a faster tempo. Having a solid right-hand technique is crucial to playing any fiddle tune well and in this lesson we’ll work through this and other important areas to focus on. Go to lesson...
Pig Ankle Rag – Version 2 – Advanced! As a follow up to the basic version of the tune, here is a great version with variations up the neck, embellishment of the melody and loads of blue notes and chromatic passages, which really suits the style. We’re in the key of D (standard tuning-capo 2), playing in a shuffle feel, and I’d suggest you check out the basic version here first, if you haven’t already.
Pig Ankle Rag – Version 2 – Advanced! As a follow up to the basic version of the tune, here is a great version with variations up the neck, embellishment of the melody and loads of blue notes and chromatic passages, which really suits the style. We’re in the key of D (capo 2), and I’d suggest you check out the basic version here first, if you haven’t already. Go to lesson...
This traditional tune is a lot of fun! The melody bounces along with a shuffle feel, and you can’t help being swept up in the joyful nature of the tune. In the key of G, this arrangement on the mandolin is well suited to the intermediate picker. Featuring quite a simple melody, the challenge can be playing up to tempo with the feel that we’re after, but we’ll break it down together in the lesson. Go to lesson...
Pig Ankle Rag is an awesome fiddle tune in the key of D (capo 2). There are 2 parts to the tune and it has the typical characteristics of a rag and is well suited to the advancing intermediate picker. Featuring a shuffle groove, crosspicking and syncopation there are some challenges in performing this arrangement, but we’ll break it down together in the lesson. Go to lesson...
Blackberry Blossom is a traditional fiddle tune, played in the key of G and is a great tune to pick on the mandolin! It’s is a very popular session tune, and is suited to the advancing picker. In a bluegrass setting, the tempo is usually fast with a pretty straight feel; and yet, it’s also a tune that can be played at a medium tempo with a bit of ‘bounce’. Go to lesson...