Tag Archives: Key of D

Bound for South Australia: Banjo Lesson

Bound for South Australia is a traditional English/Australian sea shanty, that has become a popular folk song. In the key of D, this arrangement features the banjo tuning aDGBD, and has 2 variations: a single-string version down the neck, and a melodic variation up the neck. For the advancing beginner/intermediate picker, the lively tune is a great introduction for both techniques, but equally as fun for the more experienced picker! Go to lesson...

Lesson 06 – Beginner Mandolin Crash Course (3/4 Time & Ash Grove)

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

  • Chords relative to the key of D major and example rhythm in the 3/4 time signature;
  • How to help the feel/groove in the 3/4 time signature;
  • And finally, we’ll learn a great version of ‘The Ash Grove’, a popular waltz in the Key of D.
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Amazing Grace: Banjo Lesson (Chord Melody)

In this lesson for Amazing Grace on the 5-string banjo, we’ll look at an arrangement that uses a chord melody approach, where we’ll highlight the melody with different chord harmony through out. In the key of D, the banjo is in standard tuning. The beautiful melody is relatively straight forward, but as we support it with the chordal harmony, it does become more difficult, and is suited to the more advanced intermediate picker. Go to lesson...

Lesson 05 – Beginner Mandolin Crash Course (Key of D & Soldier’s Joy)

In this mammoth beginner lesson we’ll cover:

  • The open position D major scale & arpeggio (full open position);
  • Work on two excellent right-hand exercises; a double picking exercise & alternate picking exercise;
  • The relative chords (1 4 5 6m) in the Key of D, including both open and movable shapes, with rhythm exercises to develop technique;
  • And finally, we’ll learn a great version of ‘Soldier’s Joy’, a popular session tune in the Key of D, which applies the techniques we learnt practicing our scales, arpeggios and right-hand exercises.
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John Ryan’s Polka: Melodic Banjo Lesson

John Ryan’s Polka is a well known, traditional Irish tune, played at a fast tempo. In this lesson, we’ll learn a melodic arrangement that contains two variations, in the key of D (standard tuning). The techniques used in the arrangement, combined with the tempo make this a challenging endeavour, suited to the more advanced picker. Go to lesson...

Banish Misfortune: Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar

Banish Misfortune is a traditional Irish Jig (6/8), in the key of D (mixolydian – 5th mode of G). We’re in open Dsus4 tuning (DADGAD), and this fingerstyle arrangement is suited to the advanced picker, with challenging left & right hand positions, that require strong technique to play clearly and fluently. Go to lesson...

Lesson 02 – Beginner Mandolin Crash Course (Key of D Major & Angeline The Baker)

In this lesson, we’ll cover the open position D major scale & arpeggio (plus how we can move the patterns to 2 other keys), learn a great entry level version of ‘Angeline The Baker’, a fiddle tune in the Key of D, and two open chords to play along with the tune. Go to lesson...

Colonel John Irwin: Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson

Colonel John Irwin is an Air (6/8), composed by Turlough O’Carolan, in the key of D (drop D tuning), and has a very sweet melody. This fingerstyle arrangement is suited to the advanced picker, with challenging left-hand positions that require strong technique to play clearly and fluently. As part of this lesson, we’ll cover the techniques needed to play this beautiful tune. Go to lesson...

Banish Misfortune: Mandolin

Banish Misfortune has an awesome melody, with some interesting phrases and rhythm. Lot’s of fun to play & definitely one of my favourites! It’s a traditional Irish jig in the key of D mixolydian and has 3 parts. In this lesson we’ll look at 2 variations, the basic melody plus an advanced variation with more ornamentation, both suited to the more advanced picker.  Go to lesson...