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...
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...
Mountain Dew is a fantastic traditional Appalachian folk song, popular in bluegrass circles. This arrangement on the guitar has 2 variations, with a bunch of great lick ideas, recorded in the key of A (capo 2), but can be transposed easily. The first variation is inspired by The Stanley Brothers recording and the second break launches up the neck with a lot more bluegrass flair! Go to lesson...
In lesson 16 of the Flatpicker’s Crash Course, we’ll dive in to the crosspicking technique! As part of the lesson we’ll learn an arrangement of Banks of the Ohio in the key of G that features the crosspicking technique and some cool beginner friendly bluegrass licks! Breaking down the technique during the lesson, we’ll also cover 4 great exercises that cover the forward and backward style crosspicking patterns. Go to lesson...
In this third instalment of Bluegrass Licks on the mandolin, we’ll dive into an open position set of licks, in the key of G. In the lesson we’ll cover an example break, over 23 individual licks for the G, C & D chords plus the open position arpeggios and major blues and minor pentatonic scales that are used within the licks. Go to lesson...
In this sixth volume of Bluegrass licks on the guitar, we’ll follow up on the previous lesson in the key of C. This time we’ll cover licks for the 1 4 5 & 6m chords (C F G Am) both up & down the neck that incorporate the major blues scale, arpeggios, triads, all while building on concepts and ideas from the previous lessons. Go to lesson...
In this fifth volume of Bluegrass licks on the guitar, we’ll look at a bunch of lick ideas in the key of C. In the lesson we’ll cover licks for the 1 4 & 5 chords (C F G), analyse the ideas and learn the scales & arpeggio shapes that have help build the licks. Go to lesson...
In this mandolin lesson, we’ll take a look at a blues lead break with two variations in the key of G, that utilises the blues scale, major blues scale, arpeggios, double stops, up and down the neck licks, call and response, plus a variety of articulation. Played over a 12 bar blues, there are a lot of great licks in this break, but be sure to check out all the other blues lessons on the mandolin at Pickin’ Lessons for more great lick ideas and in depth analysis of the scales, double stops and arpeggio patterns used throughout the solo. Go to lesson...
In this banjo lesson, we’ll take a look at a blues lead break with two variations in the key of G, that utilises the blues scale, major blues scale, arpeggios, up and down the neck licks, call and response, plus a variety of articulation. Played over a 12 bar blues, there are a lot of great licks in this break, but be sure to check out all the other blues lessons at Pickin’ Lessons for more great lick ideas and in depth analysis of the scales and arpeggio patterns used throughout the solo.
In this lesson, we’ll learn a great blues break in the key of G (standard tuning). At a groovy, slow tempo, this blues is fun to play and is packed full of lots of great licks and ideas! We’ll cover the G7, C7 & D7 chord positions, while making use of a mixed blues scale that conveniently surrounds the chords and learning a bunch of cool licks up & down the neck.