This week’s mandolin breakdown by Matt C Bruno focuses on “Ain’t Nobody Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone.” Originally recorded by Jimmy Martin, this bluegrass jam classic is a great one to study! I’ve included basic melody and harmony charts as well as different chord voicing ideas.
In this week’s breakdown, the focus is on the instrumental “Panhandle Rag” by Leon McAuliff, highlighting its AABA structure and common chord patterns. While not frequently played in jams, the piece is deemed enjoyable and worth learning. The post includes charts in D and E, along with listening recommendations
Flop Eared Mule (also known as Long Eared Mule or Bluebell Polka) is a classic fiddle tune that dates back to 1854, originally published as the Detroit Schottische by Adam Couse. This lively tune is especially fun on mandolin thanks to its unique key change—from G in the A part to D in the B part. In this lesson, Matt C Bruno walks through three different melody voicings, chord options, and harmony lines, plus practice tips to strengthen your pinky and improve transitions between keys.
Gold Rush by Bill Monroe and Bryon Berline is a classic jam tune worth exploring. The post provides insight into its basic melody, harmony options, and chord voicing. Notably, it’s structured in an AA BB form, making it engaging for both beginners and advanced players. Listening to original references is emphasized as crucial for learning.
Today’s mandolin song breakdown focuses on another classic, Soldier’s Joy. While this is a bluegrass staple, it’s roots are mostly Scottish from around 1760 or so. Like a lot of older fiddle tunes, there are lyrics that have been added – but we’ll be ignoring those for this review. As with many old standards, it’s […]
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 […]
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 […]
