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 5-string banjo lesson, we’ll look at a bunch of melodic & single-string lick ideas, up & down the neck in the key of C (standard tuning). 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.
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 fourth volume of Bluegrass licks on the guitar, we’ll focus on applying licks to a melody. In the lesson we’ll be using the melody from ‘My Walkin’ Shoes’ in the key of B (capo 4), utilising the ‘G’ shapes against the capo, so can be transposed easily. There are two breaks in the lesson, and we’ll analyse both breaks against the basic melody and chord progression, working through the thought process and application of a variety of licks from the earlier lessons – some more generic, and others that are manipulated to fit the melody and even harmonise against it. Go to lesson...
In this lesson, we’ll learn a great blues break in the key of G. 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, looking at the major pentatonic, minor pentatonic & dominant 7th arpeggio patterns, and how the tones of the these patterns can be blended to create some great ideas, with a lot of analysis while we cover the licks. Go to lesson...
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.
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...
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...
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...