In this course, we’ll cover a way of looking at the fretboard that is beneficial in building your knowledge of melody & harmony. By learning the neck with triads, you’ll look at the fretboard in a completely new way, giving you an awful lot of choice & freedom in your playing. Go to lesson...
Tag Archives: Technique
Lesson 15: Arkansas Traveler | Flatpicking Crash Course
In lesson 15 of the Flatpicker’s Crash Course, we’ll spend some time working out of the D Major scale in the 2nd position, while we learn a fun arrangement of Arkansas Traveler. We’ll develop strategies to improve our picking, tempo, control and fluency, all while working our way through this fun fiddle tune. Go to lesson...
Backup Banjo (Part 3): Runs & Fills
Part 3: Non-Bluegrass Backup Banjo – Fills, Runs, Inversions & Syncopation
Backup Banjo (Part 1): Major & Minor Chords
Backup Banjo (Part 2): Celtic Backup
In this third part of the course, we’ll focus on the use of runs, fills, inversions & syncopation in our backup. With three example progressions: 12 Bar Blues, Folk Rock & Psychedelic Rock, we’ll explore these ideas while also learning the pentatonic box patterns that surround our chord positions. Go to lesson...
Congress Reel: Guitar Lesson
In this lesson, we’ll take a look at the traditional Irish tune, Congress Reel. A challenging reel, the tune is in A Dorian, a minor mode. Being the 2nd mode of G Major, it shares the same key signature and contains the notes A B C D E F# G.
Congress Reel is a challenging tune for the intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
Mason’s Apron: Mandolin Lesson
Mason’s Apron is a fast tempo, traditional Irish reel, in the key of A. In this lesson, we’ll learn an arrangement that features a great picking articulation that can be used to spice up lots of different tunes. The tune is relatively straight forward, when played at a slower tempo, but when played up to the usual tempo, does become more difficult, and is suited to the more advanced intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
Backup Banjo (Part 2): Celtic Backup
Part 2: Non-Bluegrass Backup Banjo – Celtic Backup
Backup Banjo (Part 1): Major & Minor Chords
In this second part of the course, we’ll look at five examples found in the Celtic genre; a Jig, Reel, Waltz, Polka & Hornpipe. With an example to work with in each tune variation, we’ll unpack the time signature, feels, accents and groove that we need to listen out for, all while exploring many backup options including; inversions, high tones, deep tones, passing notes, syncopation, staccato, etc…
Split in to 5 parts, the full lesson covers the following:
- Jig – Mug of Brown Ale – 6/8 Time
- Reel – Drowsy Maggie – 4/4 Time
- Waltz – The Ash Grove – 3/4 Time
- Polka – John Ryan’s Polka – 2/4 Time
- Hornpipe – The Boys of Bluehill – 4/4 Time
Lesson 10 – Beginner Mandolin Crash Course (The Clare Jig & 6/8 Time)
In this tenth instalment of the beginner mandolin crash course, we’ll cover:
- The A Dorian Minor Scale;
- Am, G & Em Arpeggios;
- the 6/8 time signature;
- Rhythm exercises in 6/8 time;
- And finally, we’ll look at a great tune, The Clare Jig, using the techniques covered in the tech work exercises.
Bluegrass Licks Vol. 2: Guitar Lesson
In this second instalment of Bluegrass Licks, we’ll dive into a more modal set of licks, in the key of G. We’ll focus on licks played over the G, D & F chords, while looking at how to link and transition between the chords. Our example chord progression is the old standard ‘Little Maggie’, but there are many great tunes and songs that feature the F chord in the key of G. Go to lesson...
Bluegrass Licks Vol. 1: Guitar Lesson
In many styles of music, having some knowledge of how to phrase licks and ‘get the sound’ is important, and in this lesson, we’ll do exactly that, by learning some great sounding bluegrass licks! In the key of G, we’ll focus on licks played over the G, C & D chords, while looking at how to link and transition between the chords. Go to lesson...
101 Beginner Mandolin Crash Course
Welcome to the Pickin’ Lessons Beginner’s Crash Course in Mandolin!
This crash course is for the complete beginner wanting to learn to play the mandolin. Focusing on traditional styles, the course will get you pickin’ some of your favourite melodies and learn how to accompany others, all while developing good technique and practice habits.