In this lesson, Hayes shows you a great workout to improve your ability to switch between different rhythmic subdivisions like quarter notes, eighth notes, triplets, sixteenth notes, and even odd subdivisions like 5 and 7!

Add this to your daily routine and you’ll improve the strength and fluidity ...

In this video, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are playing the swing standard, “Avalon” by Al Jolson, Buddy DeSylva, and Vincent Rose. Magnus is playing a Phoenix Neo Bluegrass mandolin and Hayes is playing a Red Diamond A-style mandolin. 

In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find: 

• Sheet musi
...

In this video lesson, I show you how to play the fiddle tune Margaret’s Waltz. It was written by Pat Shuldam Shaw (1917-1977) in 1959. This is an A-major melody, and it’s a charming composition in the music traditions of England, Scotland, and the Shetlands. The mandolin arrangement includes double ...

In this lesson, Hayes teaches you the secret formula to the foundation of most Western styles of music - The Major Scale!

By the end of the video, you will know how to use simple intervals like the whole step and half step to construct linear, single-string major scales on your guitar.

If you wa...

In this video, instructor Hayes Griffin shows you a great exercise to memorize all of the notes on your guitar. This one was originally created by Magnus for the mandolin, but works great on the guitar!

After watching this video, you will have a clear method for mapping your guitar fretboard using ...

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

• Hayes' upcoming Western Swing Rhythm Guitar Webinar
• Do you teach mandolin or guitar? Tell us your #1 tip for folks trying to learn!
• What mental tools do you rely on for improvisation? Arpeggios? Scales? Sounds inside your head?
• Magn
...

Play a simple but very efficient solo line for the jazz standard “It Don’t Mean a Thing (if you ain’t got that swing)”. In this video, I give you an improvisation framework using guidelines and target notes to get the pleasant sound of chromatics.

In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find:

• Sheet m
...

In this video lesson, I show you how to play a Swedish fiddle tune called Halls Lilla Vals. It was written by Jon Erik Hall (1877-1948) from Bergsjö in Hälsingland. The melody starts in D-major, and the second part begins with a B-minor chord. I find it to be an excellent and elegant composition. Th...

Back on Mandolin Mondays this week, we have Swedish mandolinist Magnus Zetterlund with us playing a beautiful Swedish fiddle tune called "Halls Lilla Vals" written by Jon Erik Hall (1877-1948) from Bergsjö in Hälsingland.

Magnus is playing a sweet electro-acoustic Phoenix Jazz mandolin.
Click the l...

In this video, I show you how to play the bluegrass fiddle tune “Boston Boy.” This one was made famous by the shoutout Bill Monroe gives this tune in “Uncle Pen” and has since been recorded by pros like Ricky Skaggs, David Grisman, and Bearfoot. 

By the end of this video, you will know how to play ...

In this video, instructor Hayes Griffin shows you how to play the classic Bill Monroe fiddle tune, “Roanoke.”

This tune is a right of passage for many bluegrass players, mainly because it is played so darn fast! Never fear though - Hayes gives you some quick tips to maximize the efficiency of your ...

In this video, I show you how to play the HARMONY for Minous Vals by me, Magnus Zetterlund. The harmony is using thirds, sixths, and parallel movements but also some counterpoint ideas. 

 In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find:

• Sheet music/tabs
• Play-a-long track
• How-to-play-instructions

Cl...