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

• Do you use a rounded pick or one with more of a point?
• What are the top 3 qualities of your favorite musician?
• Do you record yourself practicing or playing? What gear and/or software do you use?
• Gear, software and musicians mentioned in the show:
  -     Olympus LS-14 hand recorder
  -     Jacob Jolliff Band - Outbound Plane 

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show:

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https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

In this video, we are playing a scale exercise for the Dorian mode.

This is a perfect 10 Minute Challenge if you want to improve your technique and experience more flow in your melody playing. I’m demonstrating the exercise to the jig rhythm, the 6/8 meter, but I will also show you how to adapt this sequence to the 4/4 time for a more bluegrass type of groove.

We will also uncover a bit of music theory behind the Dorian mode.

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

In this mandolin lesson, Hayes Griffin shows you how to play the melody to the Bill Monroe tune “Tennessee Blues.”

There are many ways that modern players choose to interpret this tune, but this lesson is focused on learning the unique “crooked time” signature of the original Bill Monroe version.

In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find:

• Sheet music/tabs
• Play-a-long and backing tracks
• How-to-play-instructions

Click Here To Watch Video

Here is a mandolin duo arrangement of the Irish tune called Wren's Nest.
This jig was written by the great fiddler Frankie Gavin of De Dannan.

It's a driving melody in E using the Dorian mode. I also included an octave mandolin accompaniment, but we are focusing on the melody in this video lesson.

This tutorial is published with the kind permission of Simon Haines Music.

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

Here is a traditional Swedish March called Gärdebylåten.

This is one of the most common fiddle tunes in Scandinavian Folk Music. I like playing it with an American touch adding some bluegrass chop chords.

In this video, I also show you a pro tip for keeping the backbeat rhythm rock steady. 

 In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find:

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

Click Here To Watch Video

Here is a swing lick that works well for ending a jazz tune like the pros!

We play the phrase in the key of A, Bb and C major. Then we demonstrate it for the songs Blues For Ike and All Of Me. It’s a must-know line for improvisers, spicing up a simple major scale with some blues sound.  

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 

In this video, Hayes tackles an age-old question for guitar players - should you learn to read sheet music?

By the end of the video, you’ll have some interesting points to help you decide whether or not it is worth it for you to invest the time in learning to read standard notation.

If you DO want to read sheet music, you’ll find a handy quick guide to reading standard notation inside of the Guitar Club.

Click Here To Watch Video

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

Hayes’ and Magnus’ reunion after 7 years! Highlights include:

• Swedish Midsummer
• Torsåker Bluegrass Festival and Jimmy Sunnebrandt
• Red Diamond Mandolins
• Bingjsö Stämman
• Ondra Kozak

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Here is a traditional Swedish march called Gärdebylåten. This is one of the most common fiddle tunes in Scandinavian Folk Music.

I like playing it with an American touch adding some Western swing and bluegrass element to it.

In this video I also show you how to use the legato style that is common in the Nordic music, applying hammer-ons and trills.

 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

In this guitar lesson, Hayes teaches you how to sound like those classic early Johnny Cash records by unpacking Luther Perkins' rhythm guitar style. 

By the end of the lesson, you will know how to play three variations of Luther's signature rhythm pattern. Hayes also gives you some tips for how to dial in your amp and pedal board to sound like Johnny's cuts on Sun Records. 

In Mandolin Secrets Guitar Club you’ll find: 

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

Click Here To Watch Video