Matt Flinner

“All your courses are really good, very well designed, and you have a great teaching style and a relaxed, open, while also serious, approach – which really comes across with the live lessons – thank you for being so encouraging always!”–-Penny J.

“After buying six mandolins and umpteen books…I am convinced your course is best $100 I have invested in my mandolin journey to date.  Finally, I’m getting the discpline I need with your exercises to learn scales, arpeggios, double stops, fingering techniques, learn the fretboard (the essential tools I need)…and most importantly to learn how those things fit into playing tunes.” —Rick D.

Register here for Week 1 (January 2-6) 

Register here for Week 2 (January 8-12)

Register here for Week 3 (January 22-26)

Register here for Week 4 (January 29-February 2)

Join Matt Flinner for a series of 5-day courses this winter which are geared toward helping the aspiring mandolin student practice more efficiently and improve their playing skills more quickly.  Every day for five days, students will run through a series of exercises and one tune, with Matt guiding them in a live 30-minute online practice session.  Students who are unable to make the live sessions can view them later that day or evening on the class website, as all sessions will be recorded.  

Students will be given exercises in the following areas: picking exercises, arpeggios, scales, fingering exercises, double stops, and a tune for the week.  Students will receive the materials in PDF form four weeks ahead of time (or whenever they sign up) so that they have a chance to learn them before the course begins.  Matt will then guide them through daily practice sessions for five straight days, giving them tips on how to improve and how to practice more effectively.  

All class sessions take place from 10-10:30 am eastern time, except for the January 6 session (at the end of week 1), which will take place from 11-11:30 am eastern time.  

The four weeks’ courses are different from one another, with different materials and a different tune being given for each week.  Students can take any single course on its own or take any combination of courses to establish a routine and build on knowledge from one course to the next.  

The registration fee for each course is $40.  

Students can view all materials (videos and PDFs) on a class website any time, and they can also download and keep all PDFs and videos (including recordings of the class sessions) to practice with on their own time if they wish to.  

Register here for Week 1 (January 2-6) 

Register here for Week 2 (January 8-12)

Register here for Week 3 (January 22-26)

Register here for Week 4 (January 29-February 2)

WEEK 1 Curriculum (1/2-1/6)

Picking Exercise I

Fingering Exercise I

Double Stop Exercise I in G

Scales and Patterns in G

Major 7 Arpeggio Exercise

Lick #1 in All Keys

Tune: Leather Britches

Register here for Week 1

WEEK 2 Curriculum (1/8-1/12)

Picking Exercise II

Fingering Exercise II

Double Stop Exercise II in D

Scales and Patterns in D

Dominant 7 Arpeggio Exercise

Lick #2 in All Keys 

Tune: Cotton Eyed Joe

Register here for Week 2

WEEK 3 Curriculum (1/22-1/26)

Picking Exercise III

Fingering Exercise III

Double Stop Exercise III in A

Scales and Patterns in A

Minor 7 Arpeggio Exercise

Lick #3 in All Keys 

Tune: The Kitchen Girl

Register here for Week 3

WEEK 4 Curriculum (1/29-2/2)

Picking Exercise IV

Fingering Exercise IV

Double Stop Exercise IV in C

Scales and Patterns in C

I-IV-V Arpeggio Exercise

Lick #4 in All Keys 

Tune: Shady Grove (in C Major)

Register here for Week 4

Questions? Contact Matt at [email protected]

“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.

“Your course was exactly what I have been looking for.  It was well structured with a ton of good material.  I like that fact that we were given tunes to learn but also tools that allows me expand the lessons beyond the course tunes to others that I already know.”—Todd M.

Want to buy a course for a special friend for the holidays?  Get a gift card for any course for just $200 ($25 off). 

Bill Monroe Tunes for Mandolin Curriculum

Crosspicking Mandolin Curriculum

Appalachian Tunes and Techniques Curriculum

The Bluegrass Mandolin 101 program is pleased to offer three new courses for a variety of ability levels and interests!  Bill Monroe Tunes for Mandolin, Crosspicking Mandolin and Appalachian Mandolin Tunes and Techniques will start up January 8, 9 and 10.

Bill Monroe Tunes for Mandolin (Jan 8-March 10) will cover many of the well-known and lesser-known tunes by the greatest mandolin tune writer, Bill Monroe.  Each week, students will be given two tunes relating to various aspects of technique, along with several exercises and suggestions for playing backup and creating variations on the tunes. The course is intended for players at an intemediate level, though advanced players as well as advanced beginners can benefit from the exploration of fundamentals to strengthen technique (plus learn some tunes they didn’t know before!).  Register here.

Crosspicking Mandolin (Jan 8-March 10) dives into the intricate, beautiful style pioneered by the great mandolinist Jesse McReynolds.  Material will focus on various crosspicking patterns and double stops and positions in various keys to create unique and often intricate solos on bluegrass standard songs.  It’s a great way to add some color and flair to your playing!  This course is recommended for intermediate to advanced players.  Register here.

Appalachian Mandolin Tunes and Techniques (Jan 10-March 10) explores the deep groove of old-time fiddle tunes.  Fundamentals will be emphasized, as students will get tips and exercises to help them improve their rhythm, picking and tone.  The course is intended for students at a beginner to intermediate level.  More advanced students may benefit from the tone exercises and focus on fundamentals (plus learn some great tunes!).  Register here.

SCHEDULE:

60-minute classes take place online every Monday (Monroe Tunes), Tuesday (Crosspicking) or Wednesday (Appalachian Tunes) evening from January 8, 9 or 10 to March 5, 6 or 7 at 9 pm eastern time, and 45-minute practice/review sessions take place every Saturday morning/afternoon from January 13 to March 10.  The week of February 5 is off due to Matt’s touring schedule.

NOTE: It is helpful, but not essential, to be present for the live sessions.  All class sessions are recorded and available to view on the class website by the following day.

WHAT STUDENTS GET FROM THE COURSE

All students will also have unlimited access to short recorded videos of all of the material played at a slow tempo, PDFs of all material in both standard notation and mandolin tablature, and mp3s of all of the tunes at slow and medium speeds that they can practice along with.  Students can access all of this material at any time through the class website, and can also download all materials (videos and class session videos included) to keep them permanently.  All class sessions and practice/review sessions are recorded and posted on the class website (usually by the following day) so that students who were unable to attend the live sessions may view them at their own convenience, and all students may review the class videos as often as they wish.

Students will also be given a “Recommended Listening” list each week for the material covered.  A variety of versions of each tune will be provided in the hopes that students will listen to recordings and further explore the wide world of recorded old-time and bluegrass music.

HOW INTERACTIVE IS THE COURSE?

During the live sessions, students can ask questions and/or play examples via their microphone (built-in or external plug-in), or they can ask questions via a built-in chat window.  The instructor responds to all questions immediately (or between teaching exercises, etc.) on the spot.

Students are also encouraged to submit mp3 recordings at any time during the course if they would like to, and the instructor will respond in an mp3 recording with constructive criticism.  Students can submit these mp3s either privately via email or publicly via the class website, where all students can listen and respond if they choose to.  Mp3 submissions are encouraged but not required, and there is no limit on how many mp3 submissions a student can send in.

There is also a class website where registered students can find all class materials (videos, PDFs, mp3s) anytime.  The site also has a Forum section, where students can ask questions, bring up topics for discussion, etc., in an open forum where the instructor and other students can respond.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO PARTICIPATE:

1. A desktop or laptop Mac or PC computer, iPad or Internet-connected mobile device (such as iPhone) in order to view the sessions, plus a good internet connection.

2. An internal microphone and speakers on your laptop or desktop computer, or a phone to listen and speak (if desired) during the sessions.  Instructions for participating by phone are included when you register for the course (long distance charges may apply).

3. During the course, you have the option of submitting recorded examples of your playing to the instructor (and to the group, if desired). In order to do this, you will need your computer’s built-in microphone or an external microphone plugged directly into your computer (via built-in ports or an external audio interface), in addition to basic audio recording software, such as Audacity or Garage Band, that will allow you to record yourself playing and save the recording in MP3 format.

4. A mandolin (actually maybe that should have been #1).

The course fee is $225 for each course.

If you have questions about the course, email Matt at [email protected].

Register here:

Register for Bill Monroe Tunes for Mandolin

Register for Crosspicking Mandolin with Matt Flinner

Register for Appalachian Mandolin Tunes and Technique

View curricula for each course here: 

Bill Monroe Tunes for Mandolin Curriculum

Crosspicking Mandolin with Matt Flinner Curriculum

Appalachian Tunes and Techniques Curriculum

“I’ve participated in many online learning programs, but so far, your format is the best I’ve ever seen. I am so pleased I happened upon your courses.”—Gina M.

“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 here.

This course will help you learn the basics of crosspicking on the mandolin—mainly in the style of the great Jesse McReynolds.  Material will focus on various crosspicking patterns and double stops and positions in various keys to create unique and often intricate solos on bluegrass standard songs.  Arrangements will start out fairly simple and will progress to more complex solos as we explore some of McReynolds’ approaches to playing melody, along with some other approaches to incorporating crosspicking into your playing.  It’s a great way to add some color and flair to your playing!

Classes will meet on Tuesday evenings at 9 pm eastern time from January 9 to March 6, with the week of February 6 off due to Matt’s touring schedule.  Follow-up practice sessions, in which Matt will review all of that week’s material with the students, take place on Saturdays at 11 am from January 13 to March 10 (again, with February 10 off due to Matt’s touring schedule).  

Attendance to the live class and review sessions is encouraged but not essential, as all sessions are recorded and available to view on the class website by the following day. 

This course is recommended for intermediate to advanced players.

Register for Crosspicking Mandolin with Matt Flinner

See the curriculum for Bill Monroe Tunes for Mandolin

See the curriculum for Appalachian Mandolin Tunes and Techniques

WEEK 1 (1/9)

Intro to cross picking

Crosspicking Pattern 1

Double Stops in the key of A

Playing cross picking patterns over double stops

Long Journey Home

Handsome Molly

WEEK 2 (1/16)

The Key of D

Double Stops in D

Moving from one double stop to another

Crosspicking on the high strings

Crosspicking on the low strings

Gotta Travel On

Rabbit in the Log

WEEK 3 (1/23)

Key of G

Crosspicking Pattern II (DEDEADEA)

Low and high double stop positions

Wabash Cannonball

Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes

WEEK 4 (1/30)

Adding intermediate double stops

Diatonic Double Stop Exercise in G

Varying the picking pattern (Pattern 1 and pattern 2 on same part of melody to create syncopation)

Don’t Say Goodbye if You Love Me

Blue Ridge Mountain Blues

WEEK 5 (2/13)

Other (non-McReynolds) Corsspicking Patterns

Crosspicking as backup

Crosspicking on three note chords

Home Sweet Home

When You and I Were Young, Maggie

WEEK 6 (2/20)

Key of C

Crosspicking pattern 3

Throwing In Occasional Crosspicking in Solos

Wildwood Flower

I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby

WEEK 7 (2/27)

Keys of E and B

E and B double stop exercises

Low and high positions in E and B

I Wish You Knew

Childish Love

WEEK 8 (3/6)

A couple of McReynolds classics

Combining picking patterns

More double stop exercises

Changing octaves

Are You Missing Me?

Sugarfoot Rag

The coure fee is $225.

Register for Crosspicking Mandolin with Matt Flinner

“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.”—Randy R.

“The material chosen for the class was excellent, and I’m already excited for the next session.”—Larry S.

Register here.

See the Bill Monroe Tunes for Mandolin Curriculum

See the Crosspicking Mandolin with Matt Flinner Curriculum 

This course will focus on getting students more familiar with Appalachian fiddle music and old-time songs, and help them improve their mandolin tone and technique along the way.  Students will get pointers on how to maximize their tone, various approaches to rhythm playing and chords, making use of open strings, double stops, bits of variations as well as learning a new tune (or two, or more!) each week.  

The course is intended for students at a beginner to intermediate level.  More advanced students may benefit from the tone exercises and focus on fundamentals (plus learn some great tunes!).  

SCHEDULE:

60-minute classes take place online every Wednesday evening from January 10 to March 7 at 9 pm eastern time, and 45-minute practice/review sessions take place every Saturday afternoon from January 13 to March 10 at 12:15 pm eastern time.  The week of February 5 is off due to Matt’s touring schedule.

NOTE: It is helpful, but not essential, to be present for the live sessions.  All class sessions are recorded and available to view on the class website by the following day.

WHAT STUDENTS GET FROM THE COURSE

All students will also have unlimited access to short recorded videos of all of the material played at a slow tempo, PDFs of all material in both standard notation and mandolin tablature, and mp3s of all of the tunes at slow and medium speeds that they can practice along with.  Students can access all of this material at any time through the class website, and can also download all materials (videos and class session videos included) to keep them permanently.  All class sessions and practice/review sessions are recorded and posted on the class website (usually by the following day) so that students who were unable to attend the live sessions may view them at their own convenience, and all students may review the class videos as often as they wish.

Students will also be given a “Recommended Listening” list each week for the material covered.  A variety of versions of each tune will be provided in the hopes that students will listen to recordings and further explore the wide world of recorded old-time and bluegrass music.

HOW INTERACTIVE IS THE COURSE?

During the live sessions, students can ask questions and/or play examples via their microphone (built-in or external plug-in), or they can ask questions via a built-in chat window.  The instructor responds to all questions immediately (or between teaching exercises, etc.) on the spot.

Students are also encouraged to submit mp3 recordings at any time during the course if they would like to, and the instructor will respond in an mp3 recording with constructive criticism.  Students can submit these mp3s either privately via email or publicly via the class website, where all students can listen and respond if they choose to.  Mp3 submissions are encouraged but not required, and there is no limit on how many mp3 submissions a student can send in.

There is also a class website where registered students can find all class materials (videos, PDFs, mp3s) anytime.  The site also has a Forum section, where students can ask questions, bring up topics for discussion, etc., in an open forum where the instructor and other students can respond.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO PARTICIPATE:

1. A desktop or laptop Mac or PC computer, iPad or Internet-connected mobile device (such as iPhone) in order to view the sessions, plus a good internet connection.

2. An internal microphone and speakers on your laptop or desktop computer, or a phone to listen and speak (if desired) during the sessions.  Instructions for participating by phone are included when you register for the course (long distance charges may apply).

3. During the course, you have the option of submitting recorded examples of your playing to the instructor (and to the group, if desired). In order to do this, you will need your computer’s built-in microphone or an external microphone plugged directly into your computer (via built-in ports or an external audio interface), in addition to basic audio recording software, such as Audacity or Garage Band, that will allow you to record yourself playing and save the recording in MP3 format.

4. A mandolin (actually maybe that should have been #1).

The coure fee is $225.

If you have questions about the course, email Matt at [email protected].

Register for Appalachian Mandolin Tunes and Technique with Matt Flinner.

To view other mandolin courses offered this fall, click one of these:

Bill Monroe Tunes for Mandolin Curriculum

Crosspicking Mandolin with Matt Flinner Curriculum

WEEK 1 (1/10)

Key of D

Picking Exercise I

Picking Exercise II

Rhythmic Patterns in D

Rabbit Chase

Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine

WEEK 2 (1/17)

Key of A

Picking Exercise III

Rhythmic Patterns in A with Added Notes

Slides and Anticipations

Train on the Island

Shakin’ Down the Acorns

WEEK 3 (1/24)

Key of G

Some Double Stops

Rhythm Playing in G with Double Stops

Prettiest Girl in the County-O

Barlow Knife

WEEK 4 (1/31)

Some More Double Stops

Rhythm Playing with Added Runs

Octave Variations

Old Molly Hare

Red Rockin’ Chair

WEEK 5 (2/15)

Going Between Octaves

Some “Open” Style Double Stops

Some More Double Stops in Backup

Little Rabbit 

Fortune 

WEEK 6 (2/21)

Waltzes

Rhythm in Waltz Time

Tremolo Picking Exercise

My Own House Waltz 

Jack of Diamonds 

WEEK 7 (2/28)

Key of C

Picking Exercise IV

Picking Exercise V

Playing Backup in C

Take Me Back to Georgia

Tennessee Mountain Fox Chase

WEEK 8 (3/7)

Tying it all together 

Double Stops

Octave Variations

Approches to Rhythm

Walk Along John to Kansas 

Chinquapin Hunting (key of A)

Dog in the Rye Straw 

Lost John 

The coure fee is $225.

Register for Appalachian Tunes and Techniques

“I’m loving the instruction and all the materials, it’s got me playing my mandolin constantly!”—James M.

“I’ve participated in many online learning programs, but so far, your format is the best I’ve ever seen. I am so pleased I happened upon your courses.”—Gina M.

Register here.

This course is intended to give students a broader understanding of many aspects of bluegrass mandolin playing through the music of the greatest writer of mandolin tunes—Bill Monroe!  Students will explore fundamental aspects of technique (picking exercises, double stop exercises, tremolo and more) to help them at any ability level while learning some great (and often lesser-known) Bill Monroe tunes.  Each week, students will be given two tunes relating to various aspects of technique, along with several exercises and suggestions for playing backup and creating variations on the tunes.  Classes will meet on Monday evenings at 9 pm eastern time, and follow-up practice sessions will take place on Saturday mornings at 10 am eastern time.  Although students are more likely to get more direct interaction with the instructor during the live sessions, it is not necessary to attend all (or any) of the live sessions!  All sessions are recorded and available to view on the class website by the following day.  

Students also have access to short (1-3 minute) practice videos each week, along with mp3s to practice with at various tempos and PDFs of all of the written exercises and tunes.  Students are invited to download all materials (including short practice videos and recorded videos of all class sessions) so that they can view and/or listen to them at any point in the future after the course has concluded.  

The course is intended for players at an intemediate level, though advanced players as well as advanced beginners can benefit from the exploration of fundamentals to strengthen technique (plus learn some tunes they didn’t know before!).  

The course fee is $225.  

See the Crosspicking Mandolin with Matt Flinner curriculum

See the Appalachian Tunes and Techniques curriculum

WEEK 1: Getting open strings in the mix

Picking Exercise I

Picking Exercise II

Two ways of playing backup

My Father’s Footsteps

Northern White Clouds

WEEK 2: Double stops

Double stop exercises in A

Double stop exercise in G

Tallahassee

The Long Bow

WEEK 3: Some classic Monroe licks

Chop chord position playing

Double stops in chop chord position

Tombstone Junction

Virginia Darlin’

WEEK 4: A couple of waltzes

Tremolo exercise

Tremolo with double stops

Melissa’s Waltz for JB

Mississippi Waltz

WEEK 5: Some minor key tunes

A couple of ways of playing minor chords in backup

Minor double stop exercise

The Old Mountaineer

Crossing the Cumberlands

WEEK 6: Bluesy Tunes

A couple of advanced Monroe licks

Bluesy licks

Picking Exercise IV

Blue Grass Stomp

Tennessee Blues

WEEK 7: A couple of fast ones

Picking Exercise for Speed

Playing double stops at fast tempos

Whitehorse Breakdown

Rawhide

WEEK 8: Some more advanced tunes

Picking Exercise V

Old Ebenezer Scrooge

Right, Right On

Bonus Material: a few classics to know (these will be given at the begining of the course, and played occasionally during practice sessions).  

Gold Rush

Wheel Hoss

Big Mon

The Road to Columbus

Register for Bill Monroe Tunes for Mandolin.

See the Crosspicking Mandolin with Matt Flinner curriculum

See the Appalachian Tunes and Techniques curriculum

“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.

“Your course was exactly what I have been looking for.  It was well structured with a ton of good material.  I like that fact that we were given tunes to learn but also tools that allows me expand the lessons beyond the course tunes to others that I already know.”—Todd M.

The Bluegrass Mandolin 101 program is pleased to offer three new courses for a variety of ability levels and interests!  Bill Monroe Tunes for Mandolin, Crosspicking Mandolin and Appalachian Mandolin Tunes and Techniques will start up January 8. 9 and 10.

Bill Monroe Tunes for Mandolin (Jan 8-March 10) will cover many of the well-known and lesser-known tunes by the greatest mandolin tune writer, Bill Monroe.  Each week, students will be given two tunes relating to various aspects of technique, along with several exercises and suggestions for playing backup and creating variations on the tunes. The course is intended for players at an intemediate level, though advanced players as well as advanced beginners can benefit from the exploration of fundamentals to strengthen technique (plus learn some tunes they didn’t know before!).  Register here.

Crosspicking Mandolin (Jan 8-March 10) dives into the intricate, beautiful style pioneered by the great mandolinist Jesse McReynolds.  Material will focus on various crosspicking patterns and double stops and positions in various keys to create unique and often intricate solos on bluegrass standard songs.  It’s a great way to add some color and flair to your playing!  This course is recommended for intermediate to advanced players.  Register here.

Appalachian Mandolin Tunes and Techniques (Jan 10-March 10) explores the deep groove of old-time fiddle tunes.  Fundamentals will be emphasized, as students will get tips and exercises to help them improve their rhythm, picking and tone.  The course is intended for students at a beginner to intermediate level.  More advanced students may benefit from the tone exercises and focus on fundamentals (plus learn some great tunes!).  Register here.

SCHEDULE:

60-minute classes take place online every Monday (Monroe Tunes), Tuesday (Crosspicking) or Wednesday (Appalachian Tunes) evening from January 8, 9 or 10 to March 5, 6 or 7 at 9 pm eastern time, and 45-minute practice/review sessions take place every Saturday morning/afternoon from January 13 to March 10.  The week of February 5 is off due to Matt’s touring schedule.

NOTE: It is helpful, but not essential, to be present for the live sessions.  All class sessions are recorded and available to view on the class website by the following day.

WHAT STUDENTS GET FROM THE COURSE

All students will also have unlimited access to short recorded videos of all of the material played at a slow tempo, PDFs of all material in both standard notation and mandolin tablature, and mp3s of all of the tunes at slow and medium speeds that they can practice along with.  Students can access all of this material at any time through the class website, and can also download all materials (videos and class session videos included) to keep them permanently.  All class sessions and practice/review sessions are recorded and posted on the class website (usually by the following day) so that students who were unable to attend the live sessions may view them at their own convenience, and all students may review the class videos as often as they wish.

Students will also be given a “Recommended Listening” list each week for the material covered.  A variety of versions of each tune will be provided in the hopes that students will listen to recordings and further explore the wide world of recorded old-time and bluegrass music.

HOW INTERACTIVE IS THE COURSE?

During the live sessions, students can ask questions and/or play examples via their microphone (built-in or external plug-in), or they can ask questions via a built-in chat window.  The instructor responds to all questions immediately (or between teaching exercises, etc.) on the spot.

Students are also encouraged to submit mp3 recordings at any time during the course if they would like to, and the instructor will respond in an mp3 recording with constructive criticism.  Students can submit these mp3s either privately via email or publicly via the class website, where all students can listen and respond if they choose to.  Mp3 submissions are encouraged but not required, and there is no limit on how many mp3 submissions a student can send in.

There is also a class website where registered students can find all class materials (videos, PDFs, mp3s) anytime.  The site also has a Forum section, where students can ask questions, bring up topics for discussion, etc., in an open forum where the instructor and other students can respond.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO PARTICIPATE:

1. A desktop or laptop Mac or PC computer, iPad or Internet-connected mobile device (such as iPhone) in order to view the sessions, plus a good internet connection.

2. An internal microphone and speakers on your laptop or desktop computer, or a phone to listen and speak (if desired) during the sessions.  Instructions for participating by phone are included when you register for the course (long distance charges may apply).

3. During the course, you have the option of submitting recorded examples of your playing to the instructor (and to the group, if desired). In order to do this, you will need your computer’s built-in microphone or an external microphone plugged directly into your computer (via built-in ports or an external audio interface), in addition to basic audio recording software, such as Audacity or Garage Band, that will allow you to record yourself playing and save the recording in MP3 format.

4. A mandolin (actually maybe that should have been #1).

The fee for the course is $225.  

If you have questions about the course, email Matt at [email protected].

Register here:

Register for Bill Monroe Tunes for Mandolin

Register for Crosspicking Mandolin with Matt Flinner

Register for Appalachian Mandolin Tunes and Technique

View curricula for each course here: 

Bill Monroe Tunes for Mandolin Curriculum

Crosspicking Mandolin with Matt Flinner Curriculum

Appalachian Tunes and Techniques Curriculum

“I have done some online courses, some one-on-one instruction and some camps.  The course I just finished with you has been the most useful by a pretty large margin.  Thanks for both the thought and effort that went into the design and material preparation and for the personal presence you bring to it.”—Steven F.

“I’m really enjoying the course. The first time I’ve actually practiced an instrument in my 60 years!”—Skip H.

Save $50 on two courses!  Use the discount code “django” to save $50 when you sign up for your second course. 

Register for Gypsy Swing Mandolin with Matt Flinner.

Get more info on other courses offered in fall 2017.

Explore the wonderful world of Gypsy Swing on the mandolin from the comfort of your own home!  Matt Flinner will lead you through the classic 1930s music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli and help you explore the fingerboard, learn new ways of playing chord progressions and help you acquire the tools you need to play and improvise in the Gypsy Jazz genre.

Each week, students will be given two tunes and a handful of exercises in scales, arpeggios, and/or chord inversions and chord movement, along with at least one transcribed Django Reinhardt or Stephane Grappelli solo from one of the two tunes.  The goal will be to become more comfortable playing Gypsy Swing melodies and chord progressions, get better at improvising and ultimately get out and play this music with other people!

The course is intended for students at an intermediate to advanced level.  The course will start out fairly easy (lower intermediate?), and will gradually progress to a more advanced level.

The course runs from October 4-December 9.  Classes take place online on Tuesday afternoons and evenings from 2-3 pm eastern time or 9-10 pm eastern time (students are welcome to join either or both), and practice/review sessions take place on Saturdays from 11-11:15 am eastern time.  NOTE: The first class session will take place on Wednesday, October 4th (at the same times of 2 pm and 9 pm eastern time) and the fifth class session will take place on Wednesday, November 1st (also at those same times) due to Matt’s tour schedule and the fact that he likes to spend Halloween night with his kids!

WEEK 1 (10/4)

A Couple of Basic Chord Progressions

Finding Chord Tones for the First Chord Changes in a Tune

A Couple of Chord Inversions

Swanee River

Tea for Two

WEEK 2 (10/10)

Minor Scales: Dorian and Harmonic Minor

Minor Chords and Inversions

Starting Phrases on Chord Tones

I’ve Found a New Baby

My Sweet

WEEK 3 (10/17)

The Circle of Fifths

Playing Dominant 7 Chords Around the Circle of Fifths

Playing Arpeggios Around the Circle of Fifths

Billets Doux

Miss Annabelle Lee

WEEK 4 (10/24)

ii-V-Is

A Couple of ii-V-I Inversions

A Couple of Melodic Patterns

Tornerai

La Mer

WEEK 5 (11/1)

Harmonic Minor Scales II

A Few Handy Harmonic Minor Licks

Tchavolo Swing

Douce Ambiance

WEEK 6 (11/7)

I-vi-ii-V-I Progressions

Finding Chord Tones on the I-vi-ii-V-I

Triplet Patterns

Lily Belle May June

Swing Guitars

WEEK 7 (11/28)

Chromatic Chord Progressions

Chromatic Scales and Fingerings

More Triplet Ideas

Sweet Chorus

Noto Swing

WEEK 8 (12/5)

IV-#IVdim-I-VI-II-V-I Turnarounds

Two Smooth Ways of Playing Turnarounds

Diminished Chord Shapes

Diminished Arpeggios

Flat Foot Floogie

Nagasaki

The course fee is $225.  

Save $50 on two courses!  Use the discount code “django” to save $50 when you sign up for your second course.  

See other courses offered this fall. 

“After buying six mandolins and umpteen books…I am convinced your course is best $100 I have invested in my mandolin journey to date.  Finally, I’m getting the discpline I need with your exercises to learn scales, arpeggios, double stops, fingering techniques, learn the fretboard (the essential tools I need)…and most importantly to learn how those things fit into playing tunes.”—Rick D., Bluegrass Mandolin 101 student

“I have to say that making everything available online is a great convenience for me. Being able to stop and return to a more challenging exercise or a newer phrase is a great for learning. I also really appreciate your availability to answer questions offline. This is a great course, and I feel as though I’m improving daily because of it.”—Joe C., Bluegrass Mandolin 101 student

Save $75 when you register by February 17th!

Register for Mandolin Chord Melody with Matt Flinner

This course is all about chords!  Chord inversions will be explored around the fretboard in various keys, and students will learn how to play melodies using those chord inversions as melodic and harmonic foundations.  Each week, two solo arrangements of swing/jazz standard tunes will be given in which the melody is played as the top note (or often passing notes) of the chord; as the melody moves, the chord inversions move accordingly, creating a full, rich sounding solo arrangement on, of all things, the mandolin.  Students will also be given tips on using these chords to accompany other soloists, as well as ways of using chord inversions and chord melody technique in improvisation.   It’s a great way to become not only a better solo mandolinist, but a much better accompanist as well!  

This course is intended for students at an intermediate/advanced level.  

Mandolin Chord Melody Curriculum (April 2-June 8)

WEEK 1 (April 2)

Intro to Chord Melody

Starting with the Blues

Dominant 7 Chord Inversions

Scales over dominant 7 chords

Route 66

Things Ain’t What They Used to Be

WEEK 2 (April 16)

Major 7 chord inversions 

Scales over major 7 chords

All of Me

Sweet Lorraine

WEEK 3 (April 23)

Minor 7 chord inversions

Scales over minor 7 chords

Moving from minor 7 to dominant 7 chords

Blue Skies

Georgia on My Mind

WEEK 4 (April 30)

A Couple of Waltzes

More moving chord inversions

Someday My Prince Will Come

Ugly Beauty

WEEK 5 (May 7)

Putting it together

Some 4-note Chords

They Can’t Take That Away from Me

Someone to Watch Over Me

WEEK 6 (May 21)

Common tones in chords

Diminished Chords

Diminshed chords as substitutions

Scales over diminished chords

Moonglow

Stompin’ at the Savoy

WEEK 7 (May 28)

Moving double stops 

Double stop exercises in various keys

Adding some augmented chords

If I Had You

Do Nothing ‘Til You Hear from Me

WEEK 8 (June 4)

Starting to improvise chord melody

Further use of chord inversions

ii-V-I inversions

Adding melodic lines between chords

Sweet Georgia Brown

Night and Day

The course fee is $225.  Register by February 17th for just $150!

Register here.

See other courses offered this fall.

“All your courses are really good, very well designed, and you have a great teaching style and a relaxed, open, while also serious, approach – which really comes across with the live lessons – thank you for being so encouraging always!”—Penny J.

“I got a lot out of it! Everyday I have a practice routine based on the summer intensive. You have helped me by leaps and bounds.”—Sandy N.

Save $50 on two courses!  Use the discount code “django” to save $50 when you sign up for your second course. 

Register for Swing Mandolin 101 with Matt Flinner.

Check out other online courses offered in fall of 2017.

Explore the wonderful world of swing mandolin with Grammy-nominated mandolinist Matt Flinner.  Learn a new swing tune (or two) each week and get pointers on how to play chords and backup as well as approaches to improvising.  This course will be very much into chord voicings, scales, arpeggios and how they all relate to one another.  It’s a great way to expand your playing and musicianship (and learn some great tunes)!  

The course takes place on Monday evenings at 9 pm eastern time (except the first session, which takes place on a Tuesday due to Matt’s tour schedule), with practice/review sessions on Saturdays at 10 am eastern time.  The course is recommended for advanced beginner to intermediate students, and assumes some knowledge of chords and the ability to play some melodies.  Rudimentary knowledge of scales and arpeggios is also helpful.  

SWING AND JAZZ MANDOLIN 101 CURRICULUM:

Week 1 (Oct 3): The Blues

Dominant 7 Chords

Blues Scales

C Jam Blues

Bonus Tune: Route 66

Week 2 (Oct 9): The ii-V-I progression

Major Scales and patterns in a few keys

Two ways of playing ii-V-Is

Major 7 Arpeggios in all keys

Sweet Sue

Bonus tune: How High the Moon

Week 3 (Oct 16): The Blues II (adding the ii-V-I)

Dominant 7 chord inversions

Dominant 7 arpeggios

Mixolydian Scales and patterns

Blues Walk

Bonus tune: Centerpiece

Week 4 (Oct 23): Some more ii-V-Is

A couple of ii-V-I licks

Two more ii-V-I inversions

Minor 7 arpeggios

Dorian scales and patterns

Honeysuckle Rose

Bonus tune: Ain’t Misbehavin’

Week 5 (Oct 30): Going Around the Circle of 5ths

Patterns around the circle

Arpeggiating through chord progressions

Seven Come Eleven

Bonus tune: Concorde

Week 6 (Nov 6): Target notes

Some more ii-V-I licks and patterns

Using target notes over chord changes

Scale exercises and ii-V-Is

All of Me

Bonus tune: Back Home Again in Indiana

Week 7 (Nov 27): The I-VI-ii-V-I progression

Two ways of playing the I-VI-ii-V-I progression

Finding smooth chord tones from chord to chord

Blue Moon

Bonus tune: Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off

Week 8 (Dec 4): “Rhythm” changes

Tying it all together: inversions, chord tones, arpeggios and scales

I Got Rhythm

Bonus tune: Oleo

The course fee is $225.  

Save $50 on two courses!  Use the discount code “django” to save $50 when you sign up for your second course. 

Register here.

See other courses offered this fall.

Mando Europe continues!

Bluegrass Mandolin Jamming II class sessions will be taught at UK and Europe-friendly times, so you don’t have to stay up until 3 am!  All Bluegrass Jamming class sessions are offered at 7 pm in the UK and Ireland, or 8 pm for most of Europe (2 pm U.S. East Coast time) in addition to the regular 9 pm eastern US time.  Students are welcome to join either of the class sessions—the U.S./Canada or European class times (or both!).  Saturday practice sessions take place with the entire group of students at 4 pm (UK and Ireland) and 5 pm (Europe).  

Here’s the schedule for the Bluegrass Mandolin Jamming II course: 

Wednesday, August 16 @ 2 pm eastern US time: Session 1 

Wednesday, August 16 @ 9 pm eastern US time: Session 1 (all the same material will be covered as in the earlier session)

Saturday, August 19 @ 11 am eastern US time: Practice Session

Wednesday, August 23 @ 2 pm eastern US time: Session 2 

Wednesday, August 23 @ 9 pm eastern US time: Session 2

Saturday, August 26 @ 11 am eastern US time: Practice Session

Tuesday, August 29 @ 2 pm eastern US time: Session 3

Tuesday, August 29 @ 9 pm eastern US time: Session 3

Saturday, September 2 @ 11 am eastern US time: Practice Session

Tuesday, September 5 @ 2 pm eastern US time: Session 4 

Tuesday, September 5 @ 9 pm eastern US time: Session 4

Saturday, September 9 @ 11 am eastern US time: Practice Session

Bluegrass Mandolin Jamming is open to players of all ability levels, but is probably best for players at an advanced beginner to intermediate level.  This course will introduce students to playing tunes in the keys of E, B, Bb and a few minor keys.  We’ll learn four tunes each week, and will encourage students to learn the chords to all four tunes, the melody to at least one, and then encourage the use of double stops and various positions on the neck to create solos on one or two of the tunes.  

The registration fee is $125.  

Register here.

Go to the Summer Courses info page here.

Here is the curriculum: 

WEEK 1 (August 16)

Key of E 

Position Playing in E 

E Chord Tones and Double Stops

Octave Changes

You Won’t Be Satisfied That Way

In the Pines

Footprints in the Snow

Glory in the Meeting House

WEEK 2 (August 23)

Some Minor Key Tunes

A Variety of Minor Chords

E Minor Scales and Patterns

Throwing in Some Minor Double Stops

Shady Grove

Pretty Polly

Rain and Snow

Jerusalem Ridge

WEEK 3 (August 29)

Key of B

Positions in B

B Chord Tones and Double Stops

Chop Chords and “Open” Style Chords in B

My Walking Shoes

Molly and Tenbrooks

Sophronie

I Cried Again

WEEK 4 (September 5)

Key of Bb

Using Open Strings in Bb

Position playing in Bb

Bb Chord Tones and Double Stops

Roving Gambler

Dream of a Miner’s Child

Shackles and Chains

Done Gone

The course fee is $125.  

Register for Bluegrass Mandolin Jamming II with Matt Flinner

See the Swing Mandolin Jamming II curriculum

See the Scale and Arpeggio Intensive II curriculum

Go to the home page

Questions?  Email [email protected]