Tag Archives: Theory

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.
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Lesson 06 – Beginner Mandolin Crash Course (3/4 Time & Ash Grove)

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

  • Chords relative to the key of D major and example rhythm in the 3/4 time signature;
  • How to help the feel/groove in the 3/4 time signature;
  • And finally, we’ll learn a great version of ‘The Ash Grove’, a popular waltz in the Key of D.
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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.

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First Noel, The: (Chord Melody) Christmas Mandolin

Learn how to harmonise the melody with this pretty chord melody arrangement of The First Noel. In the key of D, we’ll look at the basic maj/min chord choices when harmonising the major scale, while keeping the melody on top. We’ll also break down the arrangement of the Christmas carol, looking at the different voicing of the chords, some of which are a challenge for the left-hand, so I’d suggest this lesson is for the intermediate student. Go to lesson...

First Noel, The: Christmas Banjo

Get ready to learn a great Christmas carol & some awesome theory! The First Noel is a very pretty traditional English carol and this arrangement is in the key of D (standard tuning). While we follow the simple melody, we’ll be adding in a harmony using the 6th intervals. As part of this lesson we’ll look at the D Major scale played in 6th’s, which will allow you to pick up the tune very easily. Go to lesson...

Arpeggio Study No.1: Mandolin

As part of the lesson series covering arpeggios, this piece in the key of Dm, Arpeggio Study No.1, focuses on covering minor, major & dom7 arpeggios, found in the open position & up the neck. While the piece uses arpeggios exclusively, there is also an important focus on left-hand position & right-hand picking technique. Go to lesson...

Bluesy Melodic Licks: Banjo

 

Bluesy melodic licks! In this lesson, we’ll look at many lick variations for the advanced picker, in the key of G (standard tuning), using the major, mixolydian, blues & chromatic scales & arpeggios with a great bluesy feel to help ease you into the world of melodic improvisation! We’ll analyse the licks, looking at chordal notes (arpeggios) and how the licks are constructed & how they may also be altered or applied to other chords. Go to lesson...

Arpeggio Licks: Guitar

In this guitar lesson we’ll follow up the Guitar Arpeggios 101 mini-course by learning and analysing multiple licks that feature & focus on arpeggios. Make sure you’ve learnt the arpeggio patterns in the previous lesson, as in this lesson we won’t spend much time on the patterns, but rather analyse how to use them. Go to lesson...

Arpeggios | Blending With Minor Scales | Mandolin

In this mandolin lesson we’ll follow up the Mandolin Arpeggios 101 mini-course & Arpeggio Licks Lesson by learning and analysing a variety of licks that feature & focus on arpeggios, while blending with the natural minor & harmonic minor scales. Make sure you’ve learnt the arpeggio patterns & licks in the previous lessons, as in this lesson we won’t spend much time on the patterns, but rather analyse how to blend them with the minor scales. Go to lesson...

Arpeggios 101: Guitar

Arpeggios are broken chords, in other words, the notes used to form a chord, played individually. Understanding how arpeggios are built and fluently being able to play many arpeggio variations will help your playing on all levels – improv, melody creation/analysis, building harmony lines, back-up…

In this Guitar Arpeggios 101 mini-course, we’ll cover:

  • Common intervals used in arpeggios;
  • Major & minor arpeggios;
  • 4 note extensions – major 7, minor 7 & dominant 7 arpeggios;
  • How to move the patterns to any position & octave;
  • Learn an example solo, using only arpeggio notes from each chord change;
  • Plus, beginning strategies for developing the use of arpeggios in your own playing.
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