Blues Mandolin with Matt Flinner Curriculum (10/1-12/8)

“This was the best online learning experience I’ve ever had. And, for the time and money, the best music learning experience in any format: DVD, video, group, or individual live lessons.”—Christine R.

“Thanks for the terrific class! I had my mandolin lurking in the corner for 9 months before I took this class. I played with it now and then but felt out of my depth, having only played piano in the past. A few weeks into your class, I couldn’t put down my mandolin, practicing far more than my kids want me to. In addition to the wonderful tunes we learned in class, I started to pick out other melodies like Christmas carols, simple gifts, harry potter, star wars; anything I hear I want to find it on the mandolin.”—Randy R.

At last! Blues mandolin has arrived at the Bluegrass Mandolin 101 online program. In this course, we’ll be learning how to play a variety of blues styles and grooves on the mandolin, drawing from the playing of Yank Rachell, Johnny Young and Howard Armstrong, among others. Rhythm playing, lead playing and improvising will all be covered, with suggestions on chord forms, rhythmic patterns and licks across a variety of blues tunes in various keys and tempos.

Class sessions will meet up on Monday evenings at 9 pm eastern time, with follow-up practice sessions on Saturdays at 10 am eastern time.

The course is intended for players at an advanced beginner to intemediate level, though players at any level who are interested in the blues can find plenty to learn in the course. Register here.

Here is the curriculum:

WEEK 1 (10/1)

Blues Scales

Picking Exercise I

Blues in G

Dominant 7 Chords in two shapes

Crawdad (Will Hatcher)

Frankie and Johnny

WEEK 2 (10/8)

Blues shuffle feel

Picking Exercise II

A couple of triplet licks