Build Repertoire
The more tunes you know as a mandolinist, the more opportunities you have to play with other musicians—so cool! Having a good repertoire also gives us the building blocks we need to know how our instrument works and to start making our own music.
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Bluegrass tunes in the key C major are a little less common, but super fun! This “Billy in the Lowground” tune is no exception. We even get to go up the neck a little bit on the B section for that high C note on the 8th fret of the E string. Watch the fingering numbers on the standard notation for this— FREE PDF download at the link below.
This was one of the first bluegrass tunes I remember learning online in the early days of the internet, and it’s only fitting to feature it here. “St Anne’s Reel” is a beautiful tune with a great chord progression—enjoy the PDF chart at the link below:
This one has some Irish roots. Anyone know this by the alternate title "The Little Beggarman"? But these days it’s a classic number at any bluegrass jam. Check out the Mandolin Transcription FREE PDF at the link below.
Bluegrass Tabs
Here we go again! Back at the IBMA conference, and this year we're doing kickoffs! Here are 30 iconic bluegrass mandolin intros that the pros think YOU should know.
Here we go again! Back at the IBMA conference, and this year we're doing kickoffs! Here are 30 iconic bluegrass mandolin intros that the pros think YOU should know.
No tab for these, but here's a PLAYLIST of some reference recordings for all of these so you can learn them straight from the source.
"I'll Fly Away" is the perfect case study for leveling up your bluegrass mandolin skills.
"I'll Fly Away" is the perfect case study for levelingup your bluegrass mandolin skills.
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/7-levels-of-ill-139050401
How different can 10 mandolinists sound, soloing over the same tune? Check out these incredible melodic ideas from these incredible mandolin players on the classic bluegrass fiddle tune "Bill Cheatham."
How different can 10 mandolinists sound, soloing over the same tune? Check out these incredible melodic ideas from these incredible mandolin players on the classic bluegrass fiddle tune "Bill Cheatham."
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/10-mando-players-92959734
Also, subscribe to these awesome mandolin channels!
I recently sat down with John Reischman to get the inside scoop on the unique mandolin techniques he uses for his tune "Salt Spring" which has become an international jam sensation in recent years.
I recently sat down with John Reischman to get the inside scoop on the unique mandolin techniques he uses for his tune "Salt Spring" which has become an international jam sensation in recent years.
If you'd like the tab/notation for this tune, you can find it in the Transcription Book that I made with John for his recent record over on John's website.
Alright, time to study up for St. Patrick's Day! ☘️☘️☘️ Here are perhaps the 10 most common Irish session tunes that we mandolin players should know.
Alright, time to study up for St. Patrick's Day! ☘️☘️☘️ Here are perhaps the 10 most common Irish session tunes that we mandolin players should know.
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/top-10-irish-for-124323636
Here are 30 iconic bluegrass and old time tunes that some of the best mandolin players out there think you should learn.
Here are 30 iconic bluegrass and old time tunes that some of the best mandolin players out there think you should learn. Huge thanks to all the mandolinists out there at IBMA who contributed to this video!
Time to level up your bluegrass mandolin solos on one of the most common jam standards of all time, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken."
Time to level up your bluegrass mandolin solos on one of the most common jam standards of all time, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." Here are 6 different breaks for this classic with increasing levels of difficulty--how many levels can you play???
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/will-circle-most-101799383
I like to think that two mandolins playing together in harmony is the happiest sound in the world. In this video, me and Korey Brodsky will show you how!
I like to think that two mandolins playing together in harmony is the happiest sound in the world. In this video, me and Korey Brodsky will show you how!
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/learn-to-play-on-128481216
Learning familiar melodies like these beginner friendly Christmas songs is one of the best ways to learn the mandolin! See how far you can make it down the list!
Learning familiar melodies like these beginner friendly Christmas songs is one of the best ways to learn the mandolin! See how far you can make it down the list!
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/10-easy-songs-146318637
So much fun getting together with the amazing Wayne Benson here for this in-person jam of the old tune "When Johnny Comes Marching Home."
So much fun getting together with the amazing Wayne Benson here for this in-person jam of the old tune "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." Be sure to check out Wayne's awesome mandolin lessons over on his youtube channel Wayne's World of Mandolin.
Excited to do this deep dive on the popular bluegrass fiddle tune "Whiskey Before Breakfast" in this intermediate level mandolin lesson.
Excited to do this deep dive on the popular bluegrass fiddle tune "Whiskey Before Breakfast" in this intermediate level mandolin lesson. Throughout the video, I'll show you the chords, and melody for this tune, and then we'll check out the D Major scale up and down the neck to learn this same melody in different positions along the fretboard.
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/whiskey-before-62425974
We're digging deep on this one! Here are 5 advanced mandolin solos for this classic bluegrass fiddle tune "Whiskey Before Breakfast."
We're digging deep on this one! Here are 5 advanced mandolin solos for this classic bluegrass fiddle tune "Whiskey Before Breakfast."
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/5-solos-for-62950924
Here's an intermediate mandolin lesson for "Cattle in the Cane" where I'll show you how to play the chords, the melody, octave variations of the melody, and a theory breakdown.
You've heard the Punch Brothers, Tony Rice, so many others rip on this traditional bluegrass fiddle tune, and now it's time to learn it! Here's an intermediate mandolin lesson for "Cattle in the Cane" where I'll show you how to play the chords, the melody, octave variations of the melody, and a theory breakdown of some of the scales and modes we could use to improvise over this number.
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/cattle-in-cane-63267641
For more intermediate and advanced mandolin players out there who want to take their bluegrass fiddle tune improvisation up a level, here are 5 steps for you to check out!
For more intermediate and advanced mandolin players out there who want to take their bluegrass fiddle tune improvisation up a level, here are 5 steps for you to check out!
Here's an in depth lesson on the bluegrass standard "Billy in the Lowground." In this video, I'll walk you through the chords, melody, and a version of the melody up the neck.
Here's an in depth lesson on the bluegrass standard "Billy in the Lowground." In this video, I'll walk you through the chords, melody, and a version of the melody up the neck.
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/billy-in-lesson-76649356
Buckle up for another in depth fiddle tune lesson! "Fisher's Hornpipe" is a great bluegrass tune to add to your repertoire, and we'll be checking out some octave variations here too!
Buckle up for another in depth fiddle tune lesson! "Fisher's Hornpipe" is a great bluegrass tune to add to your repertoire, and we'll be checking out some octave variations here too!
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/fishers-hornpipe-76708918
Here are 3 classic Irish jigs ("Out on the Ocean," "Connaughtman's Rambles," and "Cliffs of Moher") on the mandolin to help get you on your way to your first Irish session.
Here are 3 classic Irish jigs ("Out on the Ocean," "Connaughtman's Rambles," and "Cliffs of Moher") on the mandolin to help get you on your way to your first Irish session.
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/learn-your-first-79740090
Check out these 3 classic Irish reels: "Maid Behind the Bar," "Cooley's Reel," and "Sally Gardens Reel"--all standards that every mandolin player should know!
Check out these 3 classic Irish reels: "Maid Behind the Bar," "Cooley's Reel," and "Sally Gardens Reel"--all standards that every mandolin player should know!
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/3-irish-reels-80784294
Wow, this one turned out to be a big one! Here's a 30 min, advanced mandolin lesson on the Byron Berline tune "Huckleberry Hornpipe." In this video, I'll show you the chords, melody, and a solo I wrote for this tune for the very first Mandolin Mondays video.
Wow, this one turned out to be a big one! Here's a 30 min, advanced mandolin lesson on the Byron Berline tune "Huckleberry Hornpipe." In this video, I'll show you the chords, melody, and a solo I wrote for this tune for the very first Mandolin Mondays video.
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/huckleberry-85361456
"Happy Hollow" is such a fun, happy-sounding intermediate level old-time tune to play on the mandolin! In this video I'll show you the chords, melody, and an up the neck variation for this one.
"Happy Hollow" is such a fun, happy-sounding intermediate level old-time tune to play on the mandolin! In this video I'll show you the chords, melody, and an up the neck variation for this one.
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/happy-hollow-85993495
Time to wave your free time goodbye, and learn this beautiful, crooked, 3-part fiddle tune.
Time to wave your free time goodbye, and learn this beautiful, crooked, 3-part fiddle tune.
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/farewell-to-87432766
Had to share this impromptu take of the Carter Family classic "Keep on the Sunny Side" with the amazing Darren Nicholson and his 1923 Lloyd Loar Gibson F5.
Had to share this impromptu take of the Carter Family classic "Keep on the Sunny Side" with the amazing Darren Nicholson and his 1923 Lloyd Loar Gibson F5.
🎶 Grab the PDF transcriptions and MP3 play alongs for this lesson over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbenedictmandolin/posts/what-darren-on-116527461
TUNE Vids
“The Irish Washerwoman” just might be the “Wagon Wheel” of Irish session tunes, but it’s still a really fun tune to play! Don’t forget to use that down, up, down, down, up, down jig picking on this one. FREE PDF at the link below:
This bouncy Irish hornpipe becomes quite the fun frenzy with all of those triplets! Grab the FREE PDF for “Harvest Home” at the link below:
It’s hard to imagine a more classic D major Irish tune than this “Maid Behind the Bar.” Such a fun melody to play—especially when you add in those quick grace note pull offs (“cuts”) to make this sound even more authentically Irish. FREE PDF at the link below:
I remember Chris Thile teaching this Irish tune in his teenage years on an old school HomeSpun instructional tape. Here’s my take on the classic session tune. Don’t forget to use that down, up, down, down, up, down jig picking here in 6/8 time. FREE PDF at the link below:
IRISH Tabs
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This bluegrass tune is a bit of a pinkie workout—both on the A and B sections! Taking some cues from the incredible version of this tune on the seminal Tony Rice album Manzanita. Enjoy the FREE PDF at the link down below!