Hoffee Carbon Fibre Cases for Mandolin // Review 

gear Jun 02, 2023

I want to share my experience with my new mandolin case from Hoffee Cases in this video. I’m delighted with this case; you can see some of the features in this video. 

It’s a hard-case made in carbon fiber and comparable with Calton Cases, Pegasus cases, and Northfield Airloom Tura to mention a few. The weight of the case is about 3.6 kg = 7.9 lb.

In another video, I will present the instrument inside the case. ;-) 

Click the link to watch the video

Get your CASE STICKER from our new merchandise store
https://mandolinsecrets.creator-spring.com/

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Mandolin Lesson // Vals Efter Pål Karl // Swedish Traditional Music

In this mandolin video lesson, I show you how to play a traditional Swedish fiddle tune called Vals efter Pål Karl. This dance tune is a waltz from the region of Älvdalen, Dalarna. The melody is archaic and raw yet groovy in the A-Dorian mode.

 Our arrangement is a three-part arrangement with a melody and harmony part on the mandolin and the chords part on the octave mandolin. I play the tune with my friend Lena Jonsson, a fantastic fiddle player from Sweden. 

 There is an iconic recording of this tune on the album, "Längs Gamla Stigar och Färdevägar" by Simon Simonssons Kvartett from 1989.

In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find:

  • Sheet music/tabs (PDF)
  • Backing and play-a-long tracks (MP3)
  • How-to-play-instructions

Click Here To Watch The Video

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Jazz Mandolin Chords - Djangology by Reinhardt & Grappelli - Rhythm Lesson

In this mandolin video lesson, I show you how to play the chords and rhythm track for the gypsy jazz classic ”Djangology” by Django Reinhardt/Stephan Grappelli.

Here you’ll find versatile shapes for diminished chords, Minor 7th chords, Major 6th chords, and Dominant 7th chords in different inversions.

We are using movable three-string chords that are easy on your hands. You can apply these chord shapes to many other jazz and swing tunes.

In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find: 

  • Chord charts (PDF)
  • Sheet music/tabs (PDF)
  • Backing and play-a-long tracks (MP3)
  • How-to-play-instructions 

Click Here To Watch Video 

 

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Årepolskan Harmony - Mandolin Lesson - Nordic Folk Music

In this video lesson, I show you how to play the harmony to a traditional Swedish fiddle tune called Årepolskan. This dance tune is a triplet polska from the region of Jämtland.

The harmony is quite interesting, following the melody in parallell movements. The intervalls mainly consist of thirds, fourths, fifths and sixths in a true harmony matter. It is a soulful and elegant fiddle tune wandering between G-major and E-minor.

Our arrangement is a three-part arrangement with a melody and harmony part on the mandolin and the chords part on the octave mandolin. I play the tune with my friend Lena Jonsson, a fantastic fiddle player from Sweden. 

In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find:

  • Sheet music/tabs (PDF)
  • Backing and play-a-long tracks (MP3)
  • How-to-play-instructions

Click Here To Watch Video

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Mandolin Lesson // Bill Cheatham // Chop Chords

bluegrass youtube May 05, 2023

In this video, I will show you how to play the chords and backup rhythm for the old-time fiddle tune "Bill Cheatham" on the mandolin. This fiddle tune is a standard jam tune, and you will find it in bluegrass, old-time, and Irish music sessions. 

We use typical chop chord voicings for the following chords, A-major, D-major, and E-major. I will also give you some insights into the different fingerings for some of the chords.

In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find: 

  • Sheet music/tabs (PDF)
  • Backing and play-a-long tracks (MP3)
  • How-to-play-instructions 

Click Here To Watch Video 

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Podcast Episode #23 How well do you know your mandolin fretboard? 

podcast Apr 21, 2023
 

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

  • How well do you know your mandolin fretboard?
  • Do you have any fun musical plans now that spring is here?
  •  Mandolin Fretboard Webinar and Fretboard Success Program
  • DJANGOLOGY, new lesson
  • The travel vs music ration for the touring musician
  •  The best practices for songwriting and recording a one man band

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Learn more about Mandolin Fretboard Webinar
https://mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

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Djangology by Reinhardt & Grappelli - Jazz Mandolin Lesson - Melody

In this mandolin video lesson, I show you how to play the gypsy jazz classic ”Djangology” by Django Reinhardt/Stephan Grappelli. In this video, we’re focusing on the melody.

The melody is straightforward and outlines the chord change in a clever way.

I will also show you how this line builds your vocabulary and gives you ideas for jazz soloing and swing improvisation. 

In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find: 

  • Sheet music/tabs (PDF)
  • Backing and play-a-long tracks (MP3)
  • How-to-play-instructions 

Click Here To Watch Video 

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Årepolskan // Nordic Folk Music // Mandolin Duo

In this video, Karl Tiren and Magnus Zetterlund play play a traditional Swedish fiddle tune called Årepolskan. This dance tune is a triplet polska from the region of Jämtland.

The melody is interesting, wandering from G-major to E-minor in a typical way for this tradition. It is a soulful and elegant fiddle tune.

In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find:

  • Sheet music/tabs (PDF)
  • Backing and play-a-long tracks (MP3)
  • How-to-play-instructions

Our arrangement is a three-part arrangement with a melody and harmony part on the mandolin and the chords part on the octave mandolin.

Click Here To Watch Video

 

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Mandolin Ragtime Chords Lesson // Sailor’s Hornpipe // Octave Mandolin

In this video, I will show you how to play the chords and harmony for sailor’s hornpipe on mandolin and octave mandolin. This melody is an iconic fiddle tune that dates back to the 18th century.

This traditional music is presented in Celtic, Bluegrass, and Scandinavian music. However, my duo arrangement has a little ragtime flavour to it.

The tune is sometimes referred to as "Jack's the Lad" and was also played in the animated cartoon series Popeye, so some people refer to this as Popeye's hornpipe.

 In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find:

  • Sheet music/tabs (PDF)
  • Backing and play-a-long tracks (MP3)
  • How-to-play-instructions 

Click Here To Watch Video

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Powerful Exercise for Fretboard Freedom on the Mandolin // Tutorial

mandolin lesson youtube Mar 28, 2023

In this video lesson, I want to show you an excellent exercise for improving your fretboard freedom and fretboard knowledge.

The concept is simple. You are taking a fiddle tune you already know in the first position, playing it up the neck in the closed position. 

This exercise is a great vocabulary builder to strengthen your musical skills and playing technique.

I’m demonstrating the exercise with the tune Cherokee Shuffle, but I recommend using the concept for any fiddle tune you know.

In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find: 

  • Sheet music/tabs
  • Backing and play-a-long tracks (MP3)
  • How-to-play-instructions 

 Click Here To Watch Video 

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