Today’s mandolin song breakdown will be focusing on Jerusalem Ridge. Often this tune is considered a jam buster due to it’s length and complex melody. Aside from having 4 parts, this tune is also in a minor key and has some minor oddities with the form. So weird stuff all around as far as fiddle […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
