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!
In this third instalment of Bluegrass Licks, we’ll dive into improvising up & down the neck, in the key of G. We’ll focus on three triad shapes with surrounding major blues scale boxes, which are all movable and can be used for any chord or key. The example break and licks are played over the G, C & D chords, while looking at how to link and transition between the chords as we move into positions up the neck. Go to lesson...
Waltzing Matilda is a well known traditional Australian bush song, and in this version on the mandolin, we’ll look at a chord melody arrangement in the key of G. You can find the basic melody and a bluegrass inspired arrangement on Pickin’ Lessons, but here, the melody is supported by 2 & 3 note chords in the chord melody style, and suits the tune very well. Go to lesson...
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.
Rhythm guitar is a crucial aspect of your playing, so let’s look at some great ways of approaching rhythm guitar in a Bluegrass style! In the lesson, we’ll cover the basic boom-chick rhythm style with some variation, single chord vamping, a bunch of walking lines connecting the G, C & D chords (key of G), plus we’ll learn an example chord progression incorporating these ideas. Go to lesson...
The Trumpet Hornpipe (AKA Captain Pugwash Theme) is a traditional Irish hornpipe in the key of G. There are 2 parts to this up-tempo tune and it is suited to the intermediate picker. The tune makes for an excellent study, as it features the hornpipe feel (shuffle), some great triplets that are a real highlight of the tune, arpeggios and some excellent scale patterns that are great technical exercises. Go to lesson...
The Trumpet Hornpipe (AKA Captain Pugwash Theme) is a traditional Irish hornpipe in the key of G (standard tuning). There are 2 parts to this up-tempo tune and it is suited to the advancing intermediate picker. Featuring the hornpipe feel, single-string, melodic and some great triplets that are a real feature of the tune.
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...
Londonderry Air is a traditional Irish melody, that in 1913 English lawyer Frederic Weatherly, set the lyrics to his song Danny Boy. It is a beautiful melody, and in this arrangement on the mandolin we’re in the key of G and is well suited to the advancing intermediate picker. Featuring the chord melody technique, there are some challenges in performing this arrangement, but we’ll break it down together in the lesson. Go to lesson...
Londonderry Air is a traditional Irish melody, that in 1913 English lawyer Frederic Weatherly, set the lyrics to his song Danny Boy. It is a beautiful melody, and in this arrangement on the banjo we’re in the key of G (standard tuning) and is well suited to the intermediate picker. Featuring the chord melody, melodic and single-string techniques, there are some challenges in performing this arrangement, but we’ll break it down together in the lesson.