Bluegrass Mandolin Lesson - Billy in the Lowground - Crosspicking bluegrass cross-picking mandolin lesson Apr 13, 2021

In this video, Hayes Griffin teaches the old-time/bluegrass fiddle tune, Billy in the Lowground. In this arrangement we include some cool cross-picking ideas to add character to the tune.  

 In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find:

  • Sheet music/tabs
  • Play-a-long track
  • ...
Continue Reading...
Whiskey Before Breakfast - Chop Chords with Crosspicking - Mandolin Bluegrass Lesson bluegrass cross-picking mandolin lesson Mar 02, 2021

In this video, I show you how to play the rhythm for the traditional tune Whiskey Before Breakfast.

We’re using chop chords with some added crosspicking.

This is a must-know tune in the Bluegrass genre and the included variations are inspired by players like Jesse McReynolds and Frank...

Continue Reading...
Improvisation Exercise for Bluegrass Mandolin - Walking Arpeggios arpeggios bluegrass mandolin lesson Feb 23, 2021

In this video, Hayes Griffin teaches a cool exercise called “walking arpeggios”. This is very good for strengthening your improvisation muscle and the ability to outline chord changes. We’re specifically applying this technique to the bluegrass tune Whiskey Before Breakfast.

...

Continue Reading...
Mandolin Crosspicking Lesson - Liza Jane - Bluegrass/Old-Time bluegrass cross-picking mandolin lesson Feb 17, 2021

In this video, Hayes Griffin teaches a crosspicking arrangement of the old-time/bluegrass fiddle tune, Liza Jane.

 In Mandolin Secrets Academy you'll find:

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

 Click Here To Watch Video

Continue Reading...
Whiskey Before Breakfast with added Hero Licks - Mandolin Bluegrass Lesson bluegrass mandolin lesson Feb 10, 2021

In this video, I show you how to play the traditional tune Whiskey Before Breakfast with some added hero licks.

This is a must-know tune in the Bluegrass genre and the included variations are inspired by players like Chris Thile and Sierra Hull.

 In Mandolin...

Continue Reading...
Playing Harmonies on Mandolin - Bluegrass Lesson - Big Sciota bluegrass Jan 26, 2021

In this video, Hayes Griffin plays a harmony to the traditional tune from his home region, Big Sciota. Playing harmonies is a common technique in American fiddle tunes, and this part adds an extra layer of depth and complexity to this expressive melody.

 In Mandolin Secrets Academy...

Continue Reading...
Bluegrass Crosspicking - Jesse McReynolds Pattern - Mandolin Lick Lesson bluegrass cross-picking mandolin lesson Jan 21, 2021

In this video, Hayes Griffin teaches a great lick based on the Jesse McReynolds crosspicking pattern.

 In Mandolin Secrets Academy you'll find:

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

 Click Here To Watch Video

Continue Reading...
Wildwood Flower - Crosspicking Arrangement - Mandolin Lesson bluegrass cross-picking mandolin lesson Jan 05, 2021

In this video, Hayes Griffin teaches a basic crosspicking version of the tune Wildwood Flower. This is a classic song that was made popular by the Carter Family among others.

 Click Here To Watch Video

 This is a sample lesson from the new Crosspicking Course of Mandolin Secrets Academy...

Continue Reading...
Bluegrass Chop Chords - Big Sciota - Mandolin Lesson bluegrass mandolin lesson Nov 24, 2020

In this video, Hayes Griffin teaches you the chords to the traditional tune from his home region, Big Sciota.

Hayes likes to play the chords with a bluegrass chop, but many players also use open-string chords for a more “old-time” sound.

 In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll...

Continue Reading...
Bluegrass Technique Etude - Big Sciota - G-major Run bluegrass mandolin lesson Nov 17, 2020

In this video, I show you a good melody etude for improving your mandolin technique. It’s a 4 note melodic sequence that is coming from the tune Big Sciota. Playing an exercise like this will improve both your fretting hand and picking hand technique.

In Mandolin Secrets Academy...

Continue Reading...
Bluegrass Mandolin Lesson - Big Sciota - Melody bluegrass mandolin lesson Nov 10, 2020

In this video, Hayes Griffin plays a traditional tune from his home region called Big Sciota. This tune is a standard in old time and bluegrass circles, and increased in popularity after it was recorded by Jerry Douglas, Russ Barenberg, and Edgar Meyer on their album “Skip, Hop, and...

Continue Reading...
Mandolin Lesson - How to play Triplets bluegrass mandolin lesson Sep 25, 2020

In this video, I show you how to play the triplets ornament in fiddle tunes. By playing this etude we will focus on the picking directions and develop control and awareness of the up and down strokes.

 In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find:

  • Sheet music/tabs
  • Audio Version

 ...

Continue Reading...