New Camptown Races - Bluegrass Mandolin Chords | Chop Chord Tutorial

Play chords and backup rhythm for the bluegrass fiddle tune "New Camptown Races" on mandolin! This lesson uses proper bluegrass chop chords to create a driving backing track that will make you stand out at jam sessions.

🎵 What You'll Learn: 

• Complete chop chord progression in Bb (with excursion to relative minor G minor)
• Full bluegrass chop chord voicings for percussive sound
• Smooth chord connections (Eb, Gm, C, F voicings)
• Proper bluegrass rhythm technique (chops on beats 2 & 4)
• Grace notes and ghost notes for authentic timing feel
• Special C7 voicing leading into the F chord (bars 22-24)
• Performance at both learning tempo (100 BPM) and jam tempo (160 BPM)

Originally written by bluegrass legend Frank Wakefield in the 1950s, this lesson features Magnus's own version picked up from jam sessions - perfect for intermediate players wanting to add a standout bluegrass tune to their repertoire!

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Introduction & Tune History
2:22 - Full Chord Performance (160 BPM)
3:49 - Song Structure (AABA Form)
4:07 - Chop Chord Voicings Explained
5:44 - Bluegrass Rhythm Technique & Ghost Notes
6:56 - C7 Voicing & Bar 22–24 Details
7:29 - Slow Tempo Playthrough (100 BPM)
9:59 - Final Tips & Outro

💡 Want to nail the chop chord technique? Check out Magnus's dedicated chop chord video - link in description!

🎵 Get the Sheet Music & Backing Tracks

Join Mandolin Secrets Academy for:

• Detailed sheet music with tabs
• Backing tracks and play-along tracks
• Fingerings and picking directions
• Access to a supportive community of mandolin players
• Bonus chord/backup lesson for this tune

👉 Sign up at:
http://www.mandolinsecrets.com/academy