Matt Flinner

This course has concluded.  To view the current list of courses offered, visit the Winter Online Course page.

Register for Swing Mandolin 102 with Matt Flinner on Tuesdays here.

Check out Swing Mandolin 101 with Matt Flinner on Mondays here.

Explore the wonderful world of swing mandolin with Grammy-nominated mandolinist Matt Flinner.  Learn a new jazz or 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.  The 102 level course is intended for intermediate to advanced players, and will cover swing tunes as well as jazz standards and bebop tunes.  It’s a great way to expand your playing and musicianship (and learn some great tunes)!

SCHEDULE:

60-minute classes take place online every Tuesday evening from September 22 to November at 17 9 pm eastern time, and 45-minute practice/review sessions take place every Saturday morning from September 26 to November 21 at 11 am eastern time.  The week of Oct 13-17 is off due to Matt’s touring schedule.

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 swing, jazz 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 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 andsave the recording in MP3 format.

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

The fee for the course is $200.  If you have questions about the course, email Matt at [email protected].

Register for Swing Mandolin 102 with Matt Flinner on Tuesdays here.

To view other online mandolin courses being offered this winter, click one of these links:

Swing and Jazz 101 Curriculum

Appalachian Mandolin Curriculum

SWING AND JAZZ MANDOLIN 102 CURRICULUM:

Week 1 (Sept 22): The advanced blues progression

Some blues licks in two positions

ii-V-Is in the blues

Dominant and Major 7th arpeggios: two octaves

Mixolydian and major scales and patterns II

Things Ain’t What They Used to Be

Bonus tune: Billie’s Bounce

Week 2 (Sept 29): Advanced ii-V-Is and modulations

Minor 7 arpeggios: two octaves

Dorian scales and patterns II

Some ii-V-I runs

All the Things You Are

Bonus tune: Autumn Leaves

Week 3 (Oct 6): The minor ii-V-I

Half-diminished arpeggios

Harmonic Minor Scales

Blue Skies

Bonus tune: Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby

Week 4 (Oct 20): The turnaround: IV, #ivdim, I/V, VI, II, V, I

Diminished scales

Diminished arpeggios

A few diminished patterns

Shine

Bonus tune: Pennies from Heaven

Week 5 (Oct 27): Tritone substitutions

Finding common tones between chords

Playing arpeggios in inversions

Limehouse Blues

Bonus tune: Stardust

Week 6 (Nov 3): Extensions: 9s, 11s, 13s

Minor/major 7 chords and arpeggios

Melodic minor scales

Mood Indigo

Bonus tune: Moon Glow

Week 7 (Nov 10): A little bebop

Connecting solos with chord tones

Substitutions—the Lydian dominant scale

Oleo

Bonus tune: Au Privave

Week 8 (Nov 17): Chord soloing

Using three note chords with extensions

It Had to Be You

Bonus tune: Satin Doll

Bonus tune: Spiritual

Register here.

This course has concluded.  To view the current list of courses offered, visit the Winter Online Course page.

Register for Swing Mandolin 101 with Matt Flinner on Mondays here.

Check out Swing Mandolin 102 with Matt Flinner on Tuesdays here.

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)!

SCHEDULE:

60-minute classes take place online every Monday evening from September 21 to November at 16 at 9 pm eastern time, and 45-minute practice/review sessions take place every Saturday morning from September 26 to November at 21 at 10 am eastern time.  The week of October 12-17 is off due to Matt’s touring schedule.

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 swing, jazz 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, iPhone or Internet-connected mobile device in order to view the sessions, plus a good internet connection.

2. An internal microphone (optional) 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 andsave the recording in MP3 format.

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

WHAT IS THE COURSE FEE?  AND ARE THERE DISCOUNTS FOR MULTIPLE COURSES?

The fee for the course is $200.  If you have questions about the course, email Matt at [email protected].

Take Swing 101 and 102 simultaneously for a discounted rate of $180 per course.  Email [email protected] for more information.

Take Swing 101, 102 and Appalachian Mandolin simultaneously for a discounted rate of $160 per course. Email [email protected] for more information.

Register for Swing Mandolin 101 with Matt Flinner on Mondays here.

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

Swing and Jazz 102 Curriculum

Appalachian Mandolin Curriculum

SWING AND JAZZ MANDOLIN 101 CURRICULUM:

Week 1 (Sept 21): The Blues

Dominant 7 Chords

Blues Scales

One O’Clock Jump

C Jam Blues

Week 2 (Sept 28): 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: Honeysuckle Rose

Week 3 (Oct 5): The Blues II (adding the ii-V-I)

Dominant 7 chord inversions

Dominant 7 arpeggios

Mixolydian Scales and patterns

Blues Walk

Bonus tune: Cool Blues

Week 4 (Oct 19): 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

Bye Bye Blackbird

Bonus tune: Ain’t Misbehavin’

Week 5 (Oct 26): Going Around the Circle of 5ths

Patterns around the circle

Arpeggiating through chord progressions

Seven Come Eleven

Bonus tune: Sweet Georgia Brown

Week 6 (Nov 2): 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: We’ll Meet Again

Week 7 (Nov 9): 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 (Nov 16): “Rhythm” changes

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

I Got Rhythm

Bonus tune: Rhythm-a-Ning

Register here.

This course has concluded.  To view the current list of courses offered, visit the Winter Online Course page.

Register here.

See other fall courses offered here.

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.  Students will get pointers on how to maximize their tone, various approaches to rhythm playing and chords, making use of open strings, bits of variations as well as learning a new tune (or two) each week.

SCHEDULE:

60-minute classes take place online every Wednesday evening from September 23 to November at 18 at 9 pm eastern time, and 45-minute practice/review sessions take place every Saturday morning from September 26 to November 21 at 12:15 pm eastern time.  The week of October 14-17 is off due to Matt’s touring schedule.

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 $200.  If you have questions about the course, email Matt at [email protected].

If you register for two or more courses simultaneously, additional discounts apply.

Two courses=$360 ($180 each)

Three courses=$$480 ($160 each)

Email [email protected] for more details.

Register for Appalachian Mandolin Tunes and Technique with Matt Flinner here.

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

Swing and Jazz 101 Curriculum

Swing and Jazz 102 Curriculum

APPALACHIAN MANDOLIN TUNES AND TECHNIQUE CURRICULUM:

WEEK 1 (9/23): Getting the groove

Rhythm playing Using Open Chords

Maximizing Your Tone

Picking Exercise I

Adding Open Strings in D

Fall On My Knees

Fortune

WEEK 2 (9/30): Making the most of open strings in A

Picking Exercise II

Adding Some Notes in Backup Playing

Squirrel Hunters

Cotton Eyed Joe

WEEK 3 (10/7): Some Double Stops

Rhythm playing using double stops

Incorporating Double Stops into Your Solos

Double Stop Exercise in G

Bitter Creek

Drunken Billy Goat

WEEK 4 (10/21): Waltz Time

Tremolo Exercises

Double Stops in A and D

Midnight on the Water

Wake Robin

WEEK 5 (10/28): Using open strings in G

A Few Licks Thrown In

Adding Some Runs and Licks to Backup Playing

The Girl I Left Behind Me

Ways of the World

WEEK 6 (11/4): Early Monroe Style Mandolin

More Double Stops

“Open Style” Double Stop Exercise

Nine Pound Hammer

Where Is My Sailor Boy?

WEEK 7 (11/11): Using Open Strings in C

Adding Extra Notes to Open Chords

Minor chords and Double Stops

Farewell to Tryon

Hell Broke Loose in Georgia

Four Cent Cotton

WEEK 8 (11/18): Tying it all together: Octaves, Double Stops, Licks and Backup

Meg Gray

Garfield’s Blackberry Blossom

Chinquapin Hunting

Brushy Fork of John’s Creek

Register here.

These courses have concluded.  To view the current list of courses offered, visit the Winter Online Course page.

Explore the wide world of mandolin with Matt Flinner in a four-week online course focusing on various aspects of technique.  The Summer Intensive 102 and 202 courses combine live online lessons with recorded videos for students to get a more complete online learning experience.  For more information on the upcoming courses, click here.

In addition to picking exercises, fingering exercises, double stops, chords, scales and arpeggios, we’ll all learn how to imitate barnyard animals:

These courses have concluded.  To view the current list of courses offered, visit the Winter Online Course page.

The Bluegrass Mandolin 101 online lessons program continues this summer with two four-week long intensive courses designed to help your overall mandolin playing technique.  Each week, we’ll look at seven exercises intended to increase your knowledge of the fretboard and help your picking hand control as we look at seven different areas: picking exercises, fingering exercises, scale exercises, arpeggios, chord exercises, double stops, and licks.  We’ll also learn a new tune each week and apply the ideas from each of the exercises to that week’s tune; by practicing these exercises in this context, students get some practical applications for the exercises as well as some ideas for variations on tunes.

Register for 102

Register for 202

The 102 level course, which takes place on Tuesday evenings, is intended for beginner to intermediate students, and students will learn one bluegrass or old-time tune in conjunction with the exercises.  The 202 level course, which takes place on Wednesday evenings, is intended for intermediate to advanced level students, and students will learn one swing or jazz-style tune in conjunction with the exercises.  Both courses will also address fundamentals which should be beneficial to players of all ability levels.  And both courses will also have practice/review sessions on Saturday mornings.

102 Curriculum

202 Curriculum

Here’s a description of the Bluegrass Mandolin 101 online experience that I hope will give you a good idea of what this exciting style of mandolin lessons is all about.

BLUEGRASS MANDOLIN 101 (and 201!)

The Bluegrass Mandolin 101 program is a unique approach to online mandolin lessons that gives students the best of both worlds: access to live lessons as well as recorded mandolin instructional videos.  These courses focus on helping mandolin students get to the next level in their playing and broaden their understanding of the bluegrass, old-time and fiddle tune traditions.

A UNIQUE APPROACH: LIVE INSTRUCTION PLUS INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS

Part of what makes the Bluegrass Mandolin 101 program unique is the fact that students follow a step-by-step program of live lessons over a four-week course.  The live lessons get a little more challenging each week, and students are encouraged to practice during the week in order to get comfortable with that week’s concepts in order to be more prepared for the next class session.  Students also have unlimited access to several short instructional videos each week (usually about 8 or 9) but are also following a regular schedule which encourages them to actually practice the material regularly during the eight week period.  The archive of short instructional videos plus the video recordings of each class session and practice session give the student plenty of material to work with during the course and on into their future mandolin endeavors!

THIS QUARTER’S COURSES

For Summer Quarter, there will be TWO 4-week courses offered from August 11-September 12.  These are follow-up courses to the 101 and 201 courses, which took place June 30-July 25.  It is NOT necessary that students take the 101 or 201 in order to take the 102 or 202 courses; students can jump into these courses at any point and begin working on their technique!  All of these courses will focus on various aspects of technique.  Each week, students will receive seven exercises (one for each day of the week): picking exercises, fingering exercises, arpeggios, scales, double stops, chord exercises, and licks.  Students will also be given one new tune each week, along with some ideas on how to apply that week’s exercises to the tune in order to create variations.

1. Summer Intensive 102, which is geared toward upper beginner to intermediate students.  Students will be given seven exercises per week plus a bluegrass or old-time tune, along with suggestions on how to relate the exercise to that week’s tune.

2. Summer Intensive 202, which is geared toward upper intermediate to advanced students.  Students will receive seven exercises plus a swing or jazz-oriented tune, along with suggestions on how to relate the exercises to that week’s tune.

THE SCHEDULE

The live lessons for the Summer Intensive 102 course take place every Tuesday night from 8-9 pm Central time from August 11 to September 12, and for the Summer Intensive 202 course every Wednesday from 8-9 pm Central time from August 12 to September 12 (Matt will be taking the week of August 24th off due to his touring schedule, so the courses will conclude September 12th rather than September 5th).  Both courses will also have Saturday practice/review sessions; 102 will be from 9-10 am central time, and 202 will be from 10:15-11:15 am central time.

It is NOT imperative that students be able to attend the live mandolin class sessions.  As all sessions will be recorded, students can revisit the recorded sessions during the week to catch up on that week’s material at their own leisure.  Students attending the live lessons will be able to ask questions on the spot (and get immediate answers and interaction), while those watching the recorded sessions will be able to ask questions via email or on the class forum page.

VIDEOS, WRITTEN MATERIALS AND RECOMMENDED LISTENING

Students have access to video recordings of all of the class sessions and practice sessions as well (generally by the following morning, or, in the case of the Saturday practice sessions, later that afternoon).  In addition, shorter practice videos of the material are immediately available for viewing after each class session, along with PDFs of the all of the material in standard notation and tablature.  All of these videos (about eight or so per week) are available to view as many times as the student would like.  Students can also download all materials (including videos and PDFs) to keep as long as they wish.

Students will also be given a list of recommended recordings for each week’s tunes.  A variety of mp3 recordings will be suggested in the hope that students will broaden their musical horizons and get a better idea of how the tunes are played by the masters!

HOW INTERACTIVE IS THE COURSE?

All live sessions are interactive; students can ask questions and/or demonstrate tunes or exercises via live microphone or telephone, or via a chat window (most students opt for this approach).  The instructor is able to immediately respond and demonstrate the answers for the whole class.  Another form of interaction comes via mp3 recordings; students can record mp3s on their own time of themselves playing the material (or anything else they want to send in) and send it to the instructor for feedback, which is also recorded in mp3 form and sent back to the student.  Students can post their mp3s on the class site (and likely get encouraging feedback from other students in addition to the instructor) or email them privately to the instructor.

HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO PRACTICE?

That is completely up to the student.  While, say, 30 minutes per day might be a good recommendation for practice time, students can make whatever they choose of this course based on their own schedule and aspirations.  Practicing week to week (again, say 30 minutes per day) will help students keep up with the week’s lessons and concepts, but the instructor knows that people have busy lives!  This is why all instructional material is archived and available for download so that students can learn on their own time after the course has finished as well as during the eight weeks of classes.  However, one advantage to the four-week scheduled course is that by practicing at least somewhat regularly, students are more able to be prepared for the following week’s lessons and therefore take full advantage of the live and recorded mix of lesson material.

Students can decide whether to practice along with the class session or with the shorter individual videos (or both), depending on what they want to focus on for that week.  Material is given each week that is targeted toward various ability levels; a song is given which is playable for beginning to intermediate players (or intermediate to advanced in the 102 class), and various concepts relating to that song are also given to educate and challenge players at beginning, intermediate and even advanced levels.  The student essentially decides how much they want to take on for the week (and the course) based on their ability level and how much practice time they have.  Any material they were unable to get to during the week and want to revisit later will be available in the archived videos and PDFs.  The instructor will also give students a recommended list of priorities each week to help students take the best advantage of their practice time.

THE CLASS WEBPAGE

This is the virtual gathering place for Summer Intensive 101 and 201  courses, where students can view the instructional videos, view and/or download all written materials, listen to mp3s of Matt playing the tunes, get listening recommendations, ask questions, submit their own mp3s for feedback and generate forum discussions.  It’s a great place to drop by any time and explore, learn and discuss.

REGISTRATION FEE

The fee for each four-week course is $120.  This gives you access to all live online lessons and practice sessions as well as access to all recorded videos, written materials and mp3s (which are yours to keep).  Students opting to take more than one course at a time will receive a $40 discount for the two courses (for a total fee of $200).  Email [email protected] for info on receiving the discounted rate.

Here are a few quotes from some past students about their experiences in Bluegrass Mandolin 101:

“I’ve practiced more in two weeks than I have in months!   Really enjoying how it’s going.”—Donna O.

“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 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.

“The level was perfect. Mentally I understand many things that have opened up the fingerboard a lot; now I need some quality time to get it under my hands. I found things challenging without feeling out of reach.”—Stan M.

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

To visit the registration pages, click one of these links:

Summer Intensive 102 Registration

Summer Intensive 202 Registration

You can always ask questions about the courses via email ([email protected]), and I’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.  I hope to see you this summer!

All the best,

Matt

102 Curriculum

202 Curriculum

This course has concluded.  To view the current list of courses offered, visit the Winter Online Course page.

The Bluegrass Mandolin 101 online lessons program continues this summer with two more four-week long intensive courses designed to help your overall mandolin playing technique.  Each week, we’ll look at seven exercises intended to increase your knowledge of the fretboard and help your picking hand control as we look at seven different areas: picking exercises, fingering exercises, scale exercises, arpeggios, chord exercises, double stops, and licks.  We’ll also learn a new tune each week and apply the ideas from each of the exercises to that week’s tune; by practicing these exercises in this context, students get some practical applications for the exercises as well as some ideas for variations on tunes.

The 202 level course begins August 12th and runs through September 12th.  Class sessions meet every Wednesday evening from 8 to 9 pm Central time, and practice/review sessions meet every Saturday from 11:15 am-noon Central time.  (Matt will be taking the week of August 24th off due to his touring schedule, so the final lesson will take place Sept 12 rather than Sept 5).

Students are encouraged to attend the live sessions to be able to interact more directly with the instructor, but live attendance is not required.  Students will be able to view the recordings of all of the sessions any time afterward as often as they want through the class website.

The 202 level course is intended for players at an intermediate/advanced level.  While this course is a continuation of the Bluegrass Mandolin Intensive 201 course which concluded in early July, it is not necessary for students to have taken the 201 course to be able to take the 202 course.  202 is intended to reinforce many of the concepts taught in 201 while pushing the student’s technique further than the 201 level did.

Register for the 202 course here.

To view the curriculum for the 102 level course, click here.

Here is the curriculum:

WEEK 1:

Picking exercise for building speed

Advanced Fingering exercise I

Chord exercise: more ways of playing ii-V-I chord progressions

C Major scale in seven positions

Major 7 arpeggios in root position and first inversion

Diatonic double stops in three keys

Hammer-on pull-off triplet lick

Tune of the week: Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree

WEEK 2:

Four string picking exercise

Fingering exercise: position shifts on one string

Chord exercise: ii-V-Is in the key of C

Scale exercise: major scale patterns using 3rds, 4ths and 6ths

Arpeggio exercise: C and Bb ascending arpeggios

Moving double stops between C and Bb

Two hammer-on and pull-off licks

Tune of the week: Blue Monk

WEEK 3:

Crosspicking exercise

Fingering exercise on two strings

Chord exercise: moving between dominant 7 chord inversions

Scale exercise: F Major scale in seven positions

Arpeggio exercise: arpeggiating through a chord progression with major 7 and dominant 7 arpeggios

Double stop exercise: smooth double stops on trickier chord progressions

A few tricks in F and C

Tune of the week: Sweet Georgia Brown

WEEK 4:

Reverse picking exercise

Fingering exercise across the strings

Chord exercise: I-VI-ii-V-I progressions

Scale exercise: diminished scales

Arpeggio with neighbor tones exercise

Double stop exercise: alternating between “open” and “closed” style double stops

ii-V-I lick in various keys

Tune of the week: I Got Rhythm

The fee for the course is $120.

Register for 202 here.

This course has concluded.  To view the current list of courses offered, visit the Winter Online Course page.

The Bluegrass Mandolin 101 online lessons program continues this summer with two more four-week long intensive courses designed to help your overall mandolin playing technique.  Each week, we’ll look at seven exercises intended to increase your knowledge of the fretboard and help your picking hand control as we look at seven different areas: picking exercises, fingering exercises, scale exercises, arpeggios, chord exercises, double stops, and licks.  We’ll also learn a new tune each week and apply the ideas from several of the exercises to that week’s tune; by practicing these exercises in this context, students get some practical applications for the exercises as well as some ideas for variations on tunes.

The 102 level course begins August 11 and runs through September 12.  Class sessions meet every Tuesday evening from 8 to 9 pm central time, and practice/review sessions meet every Saturday from 10-10:45 am central time.  (Matt will be taking the week of August 24th off due to his touring schedule, so the final lesson will take place Sept 12 rather than Sept 5).

Students are encouraged to attend the live sessions to be able to interact more directly with the instructor, but live attendance is not required.  Students will be able to view the recordings of all of the sessions any time afterward as often as they want through the class website.

You can register for the 102 course here.

To view the curriculum for the 202 level course, click here.

The 102 level course is intended for players at a beginner/intermediate level.  While this course is a continuation of the Bluegrass Mandolin Intensive 101 course which completed in late July, it is not necessary for students to have taken the 101 course to be able to take the 102 course.  102 is intended to reinforce many of the concepts taught in 101 while pushing the student’s technique further than the 101 level did.

Here is the curriculum:

WEEK 1 (August 12):

Picking exercise using three rhythms

Hammer-on and pull-off fingering exercise

Chord Inversions

Major scales in six keys with a new pattern

Arpeggio exercise: going from I-IV, I-V and I-bVII using chord tones

Double Stop Exercise: Bile Them Cabbage Down Exercise in Six Keys

Hammer-on and pull-off licks

Tune of the week: Cluck Old Hen

WEEK 2 (August 19):

Tremolo exercise

Closed position fingering exercise across the strings

Chord exercise: waltz time using open style chords

Closed position scales and patterns in G, D, and A

Arpeggio exercise: closed position major arpeggios in seven keys

Double Stop Exercise: open style double stops

Monroe-style tag lick in six keys

Tune of the week: Tennessee Waltz

WEEK 3 (August 26):

Three string picking exercise

Chromatic fingering exercise I

Chord exercise: throwing some melodic runs into chord progressions

Scale exercise: major scales starting on 1, 3 and 5 in six keys

Arpeggio exercise: major arpeggios (1353) around the circle of fifths

Double stop exercise: double stops around the circle of fifths

Cool C and F licks

Tune of the week: Alabama Jubilee

WEEK 4 (September 9):

Four string picking exercise

Chromatic fingering exercise II

Blues chord progression using shuffle rhythm

Major scales in Bb, Eb, Ab, C#, F#, B

Arpeggio exercise: arpeggiating chord changes on tunes

Double stop exercise: double stops with neighbor tones

Blues lick in six keys

Tune of the week: T for Texas

The fee for the course is $120.

Register for 102 here.

These courses have concluded.  To view the current list of courses offered, visit the Winter Online Course page.

Hone your mandolin skills this summer with online technique-focused lessons with Grammy-nominated mandolinist Matt Flinner.  Each week, students will be given seven exercises (one for each day of the week) focusing on picking technique, fingering technique, arpeggios, scales, double stops, chords and licks.  Students will also be given a new tune to learn, along with several suggestions on how to incorporate ideas from the week’s exercises to create variations.  There will be two four-week courses offered: the 101 Level for beginner/intermediate level students, and the 201 Level for intermediate/advanced students.  Courses start June 30 and July 1; visit the Summer Intensives info page to learn more!

As a bonus, we’ll also be discussing how to play better in any given playing situation.  Here’s a relevant video:

This course has concluded.  To view the current list of courses offered, visit the Winter Online Course page.

Register for Summer Intensive 201

The 201 level course is intended for students at an intermediate to advanced level, and will use swing  and jazz-related material as examples and exercises.  Some material may be more easy or more challenging for individual students.  Students are encouraged to prioritize certain exercises according to their ability level, and are given the option of adding to many of the exercises in order to further challenge themselves if they wish to.  Part of the intent of the course is to challenge students at a variety of levels, and to help students advance their playing, learn new musical ideas and have more fun playing the mandolin regardless of their ability level.

Here is the 201 Curriculum:

WEEK 1

Picking Exercise: 2-string exercises across the strings

Fingering Exercise: finger combinations on one string, full range of the string

Scale Exercise: Closed position scales in D

Arpeggio Exercise: Major 7 Arpeggios, 3 inversions

Double Stop Exercise: Double stops in E

Chord Exercise: 3 note major chords

Lick: Two arpeggio licks on one string

Tune: Herman’s Rag

WEEK 2

Picking Exercise: 3-string picking exercise

Fingering Exercise: finger combinations on two strings

Scale Exercise: Mixolydian scales and patterns

Arpeggio Exercise: Dominant 7th Arpeggios, 2 octaves

Double Stop Exercise: Double Stops in A—various inversions on I-IV-V

Chord Exercise: Inversions of 7th chords

Lick: Mixolydian lick around the circle of 5ths

Tune: Right or Wrong

WEEK 3

Picking Exercise: 3 string picking/chord exercise

Fingering Exercise: Chromatic fingering exercise

Scale Exercise: Playing Dorian scales and patterns

Arpeggio Exercise: Minor 7 Arpeggios, 2 octaves

Double Stop Exercise: creating smooth ii-V-I double stops

Chord Exercise: ii7-V7-I progressions in 6 keys

Lick: “‘Round Midnight” lick in 6 keys

Tune: Lady Be Good

WEEK 4

Picking Exercise: Triplets

Fingering Exercise: Chromatic fingering exercise II

Scale Exercise: F Major scale and pattern in thirds

Arpeggio Exercise: Minor, Dominant and Major Arpeggios in a key

Double Stop Exercise: Double Stops in F

Chord Exercise: Diatonic 3 note chords

Lick: V-I triplet lick

Tune: Straight, No Chaser

The fee for the course is $120.

Students can resister for both the 101 and 201 courses at a discounted rate of $200.  You can go ahead and sign up for both and we’ll apply the discount afterwards, or email Matt at [email protected] if you want to make other payment arrangements or have questions.

You can register for the 201 course here.

To view the 101 level curriculum, click here.

To return to the Summer Mandolin Intensive 101 and 201 page, click here.

This course has concluded.  To view the current list of courses offered, visit the Winter Online Course page.

Register for Summer Intensive 101

The 101 level course is intended for students at a beginner to intermediate level.  Some material may be more easy or more challenging for individual students.  Students are encouraged to prioritize certain exercises according to their ability level, and are given the option of adding to many of the exercises in order to further challenge themselves if they wish to.  Part of the intent of the course is to challenge students at a variety of levels, and to help students advance their playing, learn new musical ideas and have more fun playing the mandolin regardless of their ability level.

Here is the 101 Curriculum:

WEEK 1 (June 30):

Picking Exercise on one string

Fingering exercise: finger combinations across the strings

Scale exercises: major scales in 6 keys and broken thirds

Arpeggio Exercises: Major 7 Arpeggios in 6 keys

Chord Exercises: “Guitar-style” rhythm on I-IV-V in 6 keys

Double Stop Exercise: Double Stops in G

Lick: V-I Monroe-style lick

Tune: Blue Ridge Cabin Home

WEEK 2 (July 7):

Syncopated picking exercise

Fingering exercise: finger combinations on one string in first position

Scale exercises: Mixolydian scales in 6 keys, broken thirds

Arpeggio exercises: Dominant 7 Arpeggios in 6 keys

Chord Exercise: I-vi-IV-V exercise

Double Stop Exercise: Double Stops in G (I-IV-V) around the neck

Lick: V-I lick in 6 keys

Tune: Dill Pickle Rag

WEEK 3 (July 14):

Picking exercise on 2 strings

Fingering exercise: finger combinations across three strings at a time

Scale exercises: Dorian scales in 6 keys, broken thirds

Arpeggio exercises: Minor 7 Arpeggios in 6 keys

Chord Exercise: Minor i-iv-V progressions

Double Stop exercise: Double stops in C

Lick: Bluesy lick in 6 keys

Tune: Shady Grove

WEEK 4 (July 21):

Picking exercise on 3 and 4 strings

Fingering exercise: Chromatic fingering exercise

Scale exercise: Blues scales in 6 keys

Arpeggio exercise: Arpeggiating through a blues progression

Chord Exercise: 7th chords over a blues progression

Double Stop exercise: Double Stops in A

Lick: Monroe bluesy lick

Tune: Milk Cow Blues

The fee for the course is $120.

Students can register for both the 101 and 201 level courses at a discounted rate of $200.  You can go ahead and register for both and we’ll refund the discounted amount afterwards, or you can email Matt at [email protected] to make other payment arrangements or get more information.  We suggest you use the $40 savings for a nice gift for yourself (or therapy!).

Register for 101 here.

To view the 201 level curriculum, click here.

To visit the Summer Intensive 101 and 201 program page, click here.