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.
Forked Deer is one of those tunes that shows up in jams all over the place. it’s a ton of fun to play and a great workout for your fretting hand. It has a mix of melodic lines, rhythmic bounce, and that unmistakable old-time flavor that crosses over nicely into bluegrass circles. There are a […]
Cherokee Shuffle is a great jam standard tune that seems to be called at jams all over so it’s a great one to get down. It’s sort of unique in that the chord progression contains a minor 6th chord which isn’t too strange – but definitely less common. Sheet Music for Cherokee Shuffle Here’s a […]
Bluegrass music is filled with songs borrowed from other genres – especially Irish folk. Red Haired Boy, also know as Little Beggar Boy, is a great example of an Irish tune that made its way into the bluegrass cannon. As a standard of many bluegrass jams, it’s a great tune to work on. Sheet Music […]
The author recommends the Skaggs and Rice album, particularly praising their version of “Bury Me Beneath the Willow.” Key points include its foundational role for mandolin learners, the significance of practicing scales and arpeggios, and learning the melody for improvisation. The content encourages engagement through comments and donations for ongoing support.
The content describes a fiddle tune, “Whiskey Before Breakfast,” emphasizing its variations and learning strategies. Key focus areas include mastering chord progressions in multiple positions, understanding the D major scale, and playing the melody in different positions. Additionally, techniques like double stops enhance soloing and rhythm. Listening to various versions is encouraged.
