Matt Flinner

Bluegrass Mandolin Backup and Fills Curriculum, 1/4-3/6

 

 

 

 

“Your courses have opened my musical mind,  focused my practice and expanded my skill far beyond expectation.”-Steve F.

 

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Register by 11/8 and save $100!

 

Register for Bluegrass Mandolin Backup and Fills with Matt Flinner

 

 

See the Advanced Bluegrass Mandolin Soloing with Matt Flinner curriculum (1/5-3/6)

 

This course will focus solely on playing backup mandolin on bluegrass songs—something we do probably 90% of the time when we’re playing with other people in a jam session or other group settings!  So why not take some time to get better at it and learn some of what the pros do?  Basic chord forms, rhythm styles and double stops will be given, along with at least two melodic “fills” each week.  Songs (two per week–usually one easier tune and one more advanced tune) will be taught in several keys to help students get more comfortable with moving chords, double stops and licks around the fretboard.  The goal will be to help students become more adept at playing backup in various keys, develop a more solid sense of timing and in general have more fun playing with other people! 

The course is intended for beginning to intermediate-level students (though absolute beginners may find it too advanced as we’ll be moving through chord styles fairly quickly in the first few weeks), or to students at any level wanting to improve their backup playing. 

Classes meet every Monday at 9 pm eastern time, with practice/review sessions on Saturdays at 12 pm eastern time.  The week of February 1 is off, so there will be eight weeks of classes in nine weeks’ time.  

 

Register by 11/8 and save $100!

Register here 

 

Here is the curriculum: 

 

WEEK 1 (1/4)

The bluegrass “chop” chord

Playing in the basic keys: G, A, D and C

Playing fills behind a singer

Some chop chord-based fills

Your Love Is Like a Flower

I Am a Pilgrim

 

WEEK 2 (1/11)

Backup in the key of A

Using double stops in backup

Double Stop Exercise I

Mixing double stops and fills together

Two more melodic fills

Take This Hammer

No Expectations

 

WEEK 3 (1/18)

Backup in the key of D

Some more single note fills

More double stops 

More dynamics in rhythm playing

Dig a Hole in the Meadow

Tear My Stillhouse Down

 

WEEK 4 (1/25)

Waltzes

Using chop chords in waltz time

Two waltz time fills

Getting into more keys: E and B

Blue Moon of Kentucky

In Tall Buildings

 

WEEK 5 (2/8)

Minor keys and chords

Minor chord forms

Minor double stops

Two minor fills

Wayfaring Stranger    

Wild Horses

 

WEEK 6 (2/15)

Newgrass songs

Some newgrass rhythms

Barre chords

Open position licks

Two Sam Bush licks

White Freightliner Blues  

Deep Elem Blues

 

WEEK 7 (2/22)

More advanced chord progressions

Getting smooth transitions between chords

Working with moving double stops

More single-note fills

I Know What It Means to Be Lonesome

Midnight Moonlight

 

WEEK 8 (3/1)

Putting it all together

Trying various rhythm styles: folk, bluegrass, blues and rock

Adding fills and double stops in various styles

Transposing to other keys: Bb and F

Roving Gambler

Old Train

 

The course fee is $250.  Register by November 8th for just $150!

Register for Bluegrass Mandolin Backup and Fills with Matt Flinner