Mandolin Song Breakdown: Garfield’s Blackberry Blossom
The breakdown of “Garfield’s Blackberry Blossom,” a tune rooted in Civil War history, explores its origin linked to General James A. Garfield. The song’s melody, distinguished by a raised 4th (C#), poses challenges for players. Practice methods, scales, and soloing strategies are discussed, aiding in mastering this unique composition.
Mandolin Song Breakdown: Big Mon
Continuing the series of “songs I should know, but don’t” today I’m covering the classic mandolin fiddle tune Big Mon by Bill Monroe. This tune is a pretty straight forward, and fast, bluegrass jam favorite. If you have a mandolin or fiddle playing buddy – this can be a great tune for some “twin” parts […]
Mandolin Song Breakdown: The High Road
Today’s mandolin song breakdown is on the Tim O’Brien tune the High Road. I was introduced to this tune in the Seattle bluegrass jam at Outlander Brewing late 2022 I believe. The more I play this song, the more I just love the melody. To me it feels like an old time fiddle tune wrapped […]
Mandolin Sheet Music Breakdown: Old Home Place
Today’s Mandolin Sheet Music Breakdown focuses on one of my favorite jam songs, Old Home Place. The progression is pretty simple but includes the dominant 3rd (III7) which makes it a little more interesting without being too complex. I like playing this song in A so this breakdown will be using that key. It’s a […]
Mandolin Sheet Music Breakdown: Rocky Top
This weeks mandolin sheet music breakdown is going back to the classics with Rocky Top. A great tune easy enough for beginner mandolin players to get quickly and a jam favorite at many festivals. Here’s the sheet music for this week’s mandolin sheet music breakdown – Rocky Top sheet music. Listen As always, playing starts […]
Mandolin Sheet Music and Song Breakdown: I Saw the Light
This week’s Mandolin Sheet Music and Song Breakdown focuses on the standard I Saw the Light. For many new bluegrass and folk players, this will probably one of (if not the) first songs you’ll learn. It’s a pretty straight forward gospel tune with a basic melody – so nothing too complex at first. The idea […]
Mandolin Sheet Music and Song Breakdown: Big Sciota
There was a time where I heard this tune called at every jam in San Diego without fail. My good friend Bill Frisbee used to play this song almost every jam. I only realized I hadn’t heard it at jam for a while when I moved up to Seattle and started hearing it again. Today’s […]
Mandolin Sheet Music: It’s Only a Paper Moon
It’s Only a Paper Moon has been one of my favorite jazz tunes for a while. I first heard it performed, with lyrics, by Erin McKewon on her wonderful album Sign You Sinners (listen to it here). While that version will always have a place in my heart, I think Aaron Weinstein’s mandolin chord melody […]