mandolinsecrets

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Bluegrass Mandolin Lesson // Blackberry Blossom // Melody

In this lesson, we'll dive into the classic fiddle tune "Blackberry Blossom”, a staple that shows up in both old-time, bluegrass, and Celtic music traditions.

Perfect for intermediate mandolin players looking to expand their skills and repertoire!

What You'll Learn:

- Complete melody breakdown

- Proper fingering techniques

- Control over picking directions

- Tips for clean articulation with the pinky 

The A-part starts in the key of G-major and it gives you a nice challenge with some interesting melodic sequences. The B-part is in the key of E-minor. 

You'll find sheet music, tabs, audio tracks, and instructions for this tune in Mandolin Secrets Academy.

On my right side, I have the excellent Swedish bluegrass guitarist Mikael Grund

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Podcast Episode #34 How to succeed with contest playing

In this podcast episode, Hayes Griffin and Magnus Zetterlund discuss the interesting subject of contest playing. Why do it? How to apply? What to focus on? It's not only a general discussion; they also look deeper at Hayes's successful adventure when he placed 2nd at Walnut Valley Festival, National Flat-Picking Championships, Winfield, KS, in September 2024. 

We are highlighting:

- The good reasons to attend a contest

- What makes a good contest repertoire

- How to craft a winning arrangement

- Hayes's new Collings guitar

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Discover the Beauty of Classical Music on Mandolin: Bach's Cello Suite N...

Attention folk and bluegrass mandolinists! 

Dive into the world of classical music with this intermediate-level lesson on J.S. Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 BWV 1007 Prélude. 

Enhance your solo repertoire to impress your family and friends. Perfect for those moments when they ask you to 'play some mandolin, please.

In this series of lessons, you'll bridge the gap between traditional mandolin styles and classical masterpiece repertoire.

While studying this piece, I've been getting a lot of inspiration from players like Avi Avital, Yo-Yo Ma, and Caterina Lichtenberg. 

Key features of this lesson:

 • Learn to play Bach's iconic Prélude on your mandolin

 • Ideal for intermediate players looking to expand their musical horizons

 • Explore the connections between folk/bluegrass and classical techniques

 • Memorize music easily using the powerful back-chaining teaching method

In the first of four lessons, we'll start by breaking down and closely examining bars 1-10.

Whether you're curious about classical music or seeking to broaden your mandolin skills, this lesson offers a perfect introduction to Bach's timeless composition. 

Subscribe for more genre-crossing mandolin tutorials!

You'll find sheet music, tabs, audio tracks, and instructions for this tune in Mandolin Secrets Academy.

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Red Haired Boy // Bluegrass Mandolin Lesson // Chords

Welcome to my mandolin tutorial for the classic tune "Red Haired Boy"!

This tune is part of the music traditions of bluegrass, old-time, Ireland and Scotland. It’s a must know fiddletune!

Whether you're a beginner looking to expand your repertoire or an intermediate player seeking a new challenge, this series of videos will help you master “Red Haired Boy” and add a delightful tune to your mandolin repertoire.

 • How to play the backup rhythm of "Red Haired Boy”.

 • Essential closed position chop chords.

 • General tips and techniques for playing bluegrass rhythm.

Tune up your mandolin and join me in exploring this classic tune. 

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Podcast Episode #33 Show up for the mandolin every day with Patricia Cleary

Magnus interviews mandolin player Patricia Cleary from Seattle in this month's episode. She's a member of Mandolin Secrets Academy and talks about her way of keeping focus and showing up for the mandolin daily with Magnus's guidance. It's inspiring to listen to her interesting view on the mandolin as a great depressant and anti-anxiety. "You can't be angry or sad playing the mandolin; it evokes so much joy!"

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I've Found a New Baby - Jazz Mandolin Lesson - Melody with Chord Punches

In this video lesson, I show you how to play a more advanced jazz melody style on the mandolin, combining single-note melody with chord punches. The tune demonstrated is the jazz standard "I've Found a New Baby," written by Jack Palmer and Spencer Williams. 

This iconic piece, first released in 1926, has been immortalized by the performances of legendary artists such as Benny Goodman, Charlie Christian, Sidney Bechet, Django Reinhardt, Homer, and Jethro (Burns).

Our unique arrangement of this classic tune features an ornamented melody and a distinctive backup rhythm on the octave mandolin. 

This lesson focuses on the advanced melody style using some chord punches, which is a very intricate mandolin technique for soloing or jazz improvisation. 

Keep in mind that this lesson builds on the previous tutorial, which focused on the single-note melody. I recommend starting with that one since that should be the starting point for any soloing or jazz improvisation. 

We are playing it in the key of Dm (F-major) and using closed-position playing for the entire melody, meaning no open strings. 

Embark on a musical journey as you build your jazz vocabulary and add a must-know tune to your repertoire of jazz standards. With each note you play, you're stepping closer to mastering the art of jazz mandolin playing. 

In Mandolin Secrets Academy, you can find sheet music, tabs, audio tracks, and instructions for this tune.

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Adam Steffey Hero Licks // Bluegrass Mandolin Tutorial

Dive into the world of bluegrass mandolin with my "Adam Steffey Hero Licks" tutorial! 

Spice up your soloing with a killer lick from the master of bluegrass mandolin.  

In this lesson, we’ll break down a signature lick and technique of mandolin legend Adam Steffey. I got it from a break on the Jim Lauderdale song “Hunny hurry home”.

Perfect for intermediate and advanced players, this video will help you incorporate Steffey’s unique style into your own playing.

I have also included a simplified version suitable for beginner players. 

In this video, you'll learn:

 •  Signature licks and phrases used by Adam Steffey

 •  How to spice up the tune Red Haired Boy with melody variations

 • Tips for integrating these licks into your improvisation

Tune up your mandolin and let’s explore the techniques that make Adam Steffey a bluegrass icon. 

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more mandolin lessons and insights. 

Let’s get started!

You'll find sheet music, tabs, audio tracks, and instructions for this tune in Mandolin Secrets Academy.

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Jazz Mandolin Chord Lesson - I’ve Found a New Baby

Looking to play jazz chords on the mandolin and master jazz back-up rhythm? Look no further!

In this video lesson, I guide you through the chords and rhythm for the jazz standard “I’ve Found a New Baby,” written by Jack Palmer & Spencer Williams. 

This iconic piece, first released in 1926, has been immortalized by the performances of legendary artists such as Benny Goodman, Charlie Christian, Sidney Bechet, Django Reinhardt, Homer, and Jethro (Burns).

Our unique arrangement of this classic tune features an ornamented melody with chord punches and a distinctive back-up rhythm on the octave mandolin. 

This lesson focuses on the driving rhythm of swing music. I’ll show you how to play this part on both the octave and the mandolin.

We are playing the song in the key of Dm (F-major) and using movable three-string chords for our rhythm. The chords played are Dm, A7, D7, G7, C7, F6, and Dm7. 

Seize the opportunity to enhance your jazz chord vocabulary and add a must-know tune to your repertoire of jazz standards. This journey is yours to embark on, empowering you to take your mandolin playing to new heights. 

You'll find sheet music, tabs, audio tracks, and instructions for this tune in Mandolin Secrets Academy.

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Podcast Episode #30 What is your favorite instrument shop and why?

In this month’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

- What is the best low-cost or "budget" instrument you've played?

- What is your favorite instrument shop and why?

- Do you perform any mandolin maintenance/repair yourself or take it to a luthier?

- Magnus's new lesson for the fiddle tune Red Haired Boy with some Adam Steffey Hero Licks.

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Bluegrass Mandolin Lesson // Red Haired Boy // Melody

Welcome to a fun and engaging mandolin lesson for the popular fiddle tune "Red Haired Boy"! 

This tune is part of the music traditions of bluegrass, old-time, Ireland and Scotland. It’s a must know fiddle tune!

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player looking to refine your technique, this series of videos will guide you through the melody, chords, and essential soloing tips to master this lively tune.

In this video, you'll learn:

 • How to play the melody A and B-parts of "Red Haired Boy”.

 • Essential picking patterns for the fluency and drive.

 • Tips and techniques to enhance your playing.

Tune up your mandolin and join me in exploring this classic tune. 

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Podcast Episode #29 What’s your favorite practice app?

Listen to our podcast for pro tips, inspiration, and stories! http://www.mandolinsecrets.com/podcast In this month’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing: - How do you visualize scales on the mandolin and guitar? Boxes, finger      patterns, etc. - Anyone have a favorite app they use for practice? - Magnus’s new lesson release for I’ve found a new baby - Hayes’ guitar tube amps and the digital alternatives. - Magnus’s shares a story when he became the national TV guitarist. 

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Lonesome Moonlight Waltz by Bill Monroe // Octave Mandolin Lesson // Har...

Play a harmony with a "Magnus-touch" for this classic bluegrass tune. Here presented on the octave mando.

In this lesson, we'll explore the harmony to "Lonesome Moonlight Waltz" by the iconic Bill Monroe, played on the octave mandolin. Still, the harmony also plays very well on the mandolin.

This tune has a melancholic melody and very smooth chord structure. My harmony of "Lonesome Moonlight Waltz" adds some depth to the arrangement, and I find it very suitable with the rich, resonant tones of the octave mandolin.

Our arrangement is a three-part arrangement with a melody and chord part on the mandolin and the harmony part on the octave mandolin.

I play the tune with my friend Mikael Grund, a great guitar player from Sweden. 

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Jazz & Swing Mandolin Lesson - I’ve Found a New Baby - Melody

I’ve Found a New Baby - Melody

Are you looking to build your jazz vocabulary and master the art of jazz improvisation? Look no further!

In this video lesson , I guide you through the jazz standard “I’ve Found a New Baby” written by Jack Palmer & Spencer Williams.

This iconic piece, first released in 1926, has been immortalized by the performances of legendary artists such as Benny Goodman, Charlie Christian, Sidney Bechet, Django Reinhardt, Homer and Jethro (Burns).

Our unique arrangement of this classic tune features an ornamented melody with chord punches and a distinctive backup rhythm on the octave mandolin. 

We are playing it in the key of Dm (F-major) and using closed-position playing for the entire melody, meaning no open strings. 

This lesson focuses on the single-note melody, which should be the starting point for any soloing or jazz improvisation. 

Embark on a musical journey as you build your jazz vocabulary and add a must-know tune to your repertoire of jazz standards. With each note you play, you're stepping closer to mastering the art of jazz improvisation. 

You'll find sheet music, tabs, audio tracks, and instructions for this tune in Mandolin Secrets Academy.

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Do you know how to learn a song by ear? // Podcast #28

In this month’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

- Do you use a tone-guard for your mandolin? Why or why not?

- Do you know how to learn a song by ear? If so, how did you acquire this skill?

- Magnus’s new lesson release for the Martin Taylor Jazz lick

- Guitar Club: Mickey Abraham Chromatic Connecting Lines

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Hultkläppens Am Polska // Harmony // Nordic Folk Mandolin Lesson

In this lesson, I show you how to play the harmony for a traditional Swedish fiddle tune called Hultkläppens Am Polska (the A-minor polska by Hultklappen). This dance tune is from the region of Bergsjö, Hälsingland.

The harmony is quite interesting. It uses some counterpoint ideas and follows the melody in parallel movements. The intervals mainly consist of thirds, fourths, fifths, and sixths.

The melody is archaic and energetic, with a twist. It contains elements of both A minor and A major, and the scales used are natural, harmonic, and melodic minor.

Our arrangement is three-part with a melody and harmony part on the mandolin and the chords/bass part on the octave mandolin.

I play the tune with my friend Lena Jonsson, a fantastic fiddle player from Sweden. 

You'll find sheet music, tabs, audio tracks, and instructions for this tune in Mandolin Secrets Academy.

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Get started with Jazz Mandolin Chords Today - Mandolin Live Lesson Replay

Get free Jazz Mandolin Chord Charts

https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/jazzchords

Here’s a replay of live mandolin lesson where I show you how to play jazz chords on the mandolin. 

We use 3-string chord shapes that are easy for your fingers: 

no hard stretches

Sound very good

Are easy to connect in chord sequences

Small movements insinuates a world of harmony

Foundation for chord melody playing

Foundation for playing extended chords 9, 13, #5, b9, #9

My chord chart consists of:

Major 7ths - 3 variations

Minor 7ths - 3 variations

Dominant 7ths - 4 variations

Minor 7th (b5)s - 3 variations 

The chords are arranged in 2-5-1 sequences. 3 major and 4 minor. 

This doesn’t look much, but when you’ve learned these chord progressions you’ve comed a long way in to playing jazz rhythm on mandolin. 

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Easy Jazz Lick in the style of Martin Taylor - Swing Mandolin Lesson

In this video, I want to show you a clean jazz lick in the key of F-major. 

This lick is a standard jazz 2-5-1 line I learned from the Scottish jazz guitarist Martin Taylor. 

This phrase will expand your jazz vocabulary to improve your soloing and improvisation skills. It is an excellent example of how to spell out chord changes using chord tones. 

If you transpose this phrase to all twelve keys, you will learn much about your fretboard and develop your harmonic understanding. 

I can highly recommend it!

You'll find sheet music, tabs, and instructions for this tune in Mandolin Secrets Academy.