Matt Flinner

Blues and Rags for Mandolin Curriculum, 10/6-12/6

 

 

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Register for Blues and Rags for Mandolin with Matt Flinner (10/6-12/6)

 

See the Norman Blake Tunes for Mandolin curriculum (10/7-12/6)

See the Mandolin for Beginners Curriculum (10/8-12/6)

 

 

 

Blues mandolin returns to the Bluegrass Mandolin 101 online program!  In this course, we’ll be learning how to play a variety of blues styles and grooves as well as rags (with a bluesy flavor) on the mandolin. We’ll go deep into recordings from the 1920s and 30s, drawing from the playing of the Dallas String Band, Mississippi Mud Steppers, Carl Martin, Charlie McCoy, 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, rags and stomps 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 any level who are interested in blues mandolin.  

 

Register by 9/14 and save $75!

Register for Blues and Rags for Mandolin with Matt Flinner

 

Here is the curriculum: 

 

WEEK 1 (10/6)

Basic blues playing and backup

Some blues licks

Picking Exercise I

Rising Sun Blues (King David’s Jug Band)

Two White Horses in a Line (Joe Evans & Arthur McClain)

 

WEEK 2 (10/13)

Some Raggy Blues

7th chords and double stops

Picking Exercise II

Carbolic Rag (Scottdale String Band)

Tear It Down (King David’s Jug Band)

 

WEEK 3 (10/20)

Using tremolo

Tremolo exercise !

Some more blues licks

3-note chords in backup

Vicksburg Stomp (Mississippi Mud Steppers)

Mister Mary Blues (Al Miller)

Morning Glory Waltz (Mississippi Mud Steppers)

 

WEEK 4 (10/27)

Some slow blues

Slow blues backup

Tremolo Exercise II

You Gonna Need Me (Charlie McCoy)

Trouble on Your Hand No. 1 (Carl Martin)

 

WEEK 5  (11/3)

Some double stop shapes

Using double stops in licks

Tremolo Exercise III

Do the Boogie Mama (Yank Rachel)

Stealin’ (Johnny Young)

 

WEEK 6 (11/10)

Some advanced rags

Picking Exercise IV

Some slide runs (Monroe-esque)

Jug Rag (Blue Ridge Ramblers)

Hawkins Rag (Gid Tanner)

 

WEEK 7  (11/17)

Chromatic Runs

Fingering exercises

Sweet Mama Blues (Dallas String Band)

On an Island By Myself (Al Miller)

 

WEEK 8  (12/1)

Some more advanced techniques and patterns

Dallas Rag  (Dallas String Band)

State Street Rag (Howard Armstrong)

Shine (Dallas String Band)

 

The course fee is that $225.  Register by 9/14 for just $150!

Register for Blues and Rags for Mandolin with Matt Flinner