Tag Archives: Scales

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 #5: Linking Double Stops-Part 2

In the fifth Mandolin Essentials lesson, we’ll continue to cover how to link double stops with scales & arpeggios in one streamlined position. This lesson will cover an adjacent position, which we can combine with what we covered in part 1.

It’s an important skill for improvisation, melody/break construction, fill licks, etc. 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...

Mandolin Essentials #2: Key of Bb Major (Open Position)

In the second Mandolin Essentials lesson, we’ll cover the Key of Bb Major, played in the open position. It’s another great key, often used in bluegrass, that can easily be overlooked as a mandolin player, yet is quite easy to play in the open position. Areas of study include:

  • Bb major scale (one octave);
  • Bb major scale (full open position);
  • Bb major pentatonic scale (full open position);
  • The chords found in the key of Bb;
  • Arpeggios (full open position for each chord in the key of Bb);
  • And we’ll finish with a Study in Bb Major, applying and analysing the above information.
Go to lesson...

Mandolin Essentials #1: Key of F Major (Open Position)

In the first Mandolin Essentials lesson, we’ll cover the Key of F Major, played in the open position. It’s a great key, that can easily be overlooked, yet is quite easy to play in the open position. Areas of study include:

  • F major scale (one octave);
  • F major scale (full open position);
  • F major pentatonic scale (full open position);
  • The chords found in the key of F;
  • Arpeggios (full open position for each chord in the key of F);
  • And we’ll finish with a Study in F Major, applying and analysing the above information.
Go to lesson...

102 Mandolin Essentials

Welcome to the Pickin’ Lessons Mandolin Essentials Series.

In this mandolin series, we’ll cover important information that I believe will make you a better, more well rounded mandolin player. From working on building your knowledge of the fretboard, keys found in the open position, movable patterns, chords, rhythms, improvisation, useful theory and other similar topics, you will certainly grow your mandolin skills and understanding.

Go to lesson...

101 Introduction To Melodic Banjo #1

The style of melodic banjo allows for intricate melody playing on the 5-string, with a very smooth or legato sound. Fiddle tunes can be played note for note, in a way that flows over the banjo neck. In this introduction to the style, we’ll cover:

  • The basics of the technique;
  • Introduce the scale positions commonly used in standard G tuning;
  • Cover the single-string technique basics;
  • Work through several exercises;
  • And finally, put it all together with a pretty tune ‘Boulavogue’.
Go to lesson...

Lesson 09 – Beginner Mandolin Crash Course (Turkey in the Straw & Key of G)

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

  • The G Major Pentatonic Scale;
  • G, C & D Arpeggios;
  • The “G” Chop Chord (And the C & D variations);
  • Basic chop chord rhythm;
  • And finally, we’ll learn a version of ‘Turkey in the Straw’, a well known American folk song, that is a great session tune, that utilises the G major pentatonic, arpeggios & chop chords covered in the lesson.
Go to lesson...

Lesson 08 – Beginner Mandolin Crash Course (Greensleeves & Key of Dm)

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

  • The D Natural, Harmonic, Dorian & Melodic Minor Scales;
  • Dm & A7 Arpeggios;
  • Common intervals used in arpeggios, scales and chords;
  • Tremolo technique;
  • And finally, we’ll learn 2 versions of ‘Greensleeves’, a well known English folk song. (Basic & tremolo).
Go to lesson...

Lesson 07 – Beginner Mandolin Crash Course (Wayfaring Stranger & Key of Am)

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

  • The A Natural & Harmonic Minor Scales, and the Am Arpeggio;
  • Chords relative to the key of Am and Wayfaring Stranger;
  • Double Stops;
  • Tremolo technique;
  • And finally, we’ll learn 2 versions of ‘Wayfaring Stranger’, a popular folk song. (Basic & Embellished).
Go to lesson...