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...
Tag Archives: Movable
Bluegrass Licks Vol. 2: Mandolin Lesson
In this second instalment of Bluegrass Licks on the mandolin, we’ll dive into a movable set of licks, demonstrated in the key of B, but can be applied to any key or chord! We’ll focus on licks in two connected scale positions, linked with two double positions, a bunch of example licks and an example break over a standard chord progression using the 1 4 & 5 chords. Go to lesson...
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...
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...
Will The Circle Be Unbroken: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this Will The Circle Be Unbroken: Mandolin Lesson we’ll take a look at the basic melody, played in the open position (Key of A), an advancing beginner arrangement in a movable pattern, using tremolo (Key of D) and finish off with an intermediate arrangement of the tune, using double stops also in a movable pattern (Key of G). Go to lesson...
Nine Pound Hammer: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at a movable break for the song ‘Nine Pound Hammer’. Recorded in the key of A, the break is using a closed position major blues scale and double stops, so can be transposed to any key! The lesson also includes technical work which covers the major blues scale & double stop shapes required for the tune & and how to then transpose the break. Go to lesson...
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane: Mandolin Lesson
G’day! In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at a break for the song Hand Me Down My Walking Cane. The arrangement is in the key of A, but uses only closed positions, so can be easily transposed to any key.