Most Recent Lessons

Here are all the lessons on my site, listed in order of date published.
The most recent lessons are at the top, and the oldest lessons are at the bottom.

• Out On The Ocean: Play Along Jam
• Out On The Ocean: Simple To Complex
• Morrison’s Jig: Play Along Jam
• Morrison’s Jig: Simple To Complex
• Morrison’s Jig: Chords & Strum Pattern
• Morrison’s Jig
• Tater Roll: Play Along Jam
• Tater Roll: Simple To Complex
• Tater Roll (Fiddle Tune by Ear)
• Irish Washerwoman: Play Along Jam
• Irish Washerwoman: Simple To Complex
• 5 Tips from 15+ Years of Teaching Music
• Road To Boston: Play Along Jam
• Road To Boston: Simple To Complex
• 5 Tips from 20+ Years of Playing Music
• Learn 3 Chords, a Scale, a Song, and a Tune, in 10 Minutes!
• The Best Budget Mandolin?
• Liberty: Play Along Jam
• Liberty: Simple To Complex
• A Bluegrass Lick in G Major
• The Drowning At Bruckless
• Spotted Pony: Play Along Jam
• Spotted Pony: Simple To Complex
• Determining Your Musical Weakness
• Wayfaring Stranger: Play Along Jam
• Wayfaring Stranger: Simple To Complex
• The Girl I Left Behind Me: Play Along Jam
• The Girl I Left Behind Me: Simple To Complex
• Waterbound: Play Along Jam
• Waterbound: Simple To Complex
• Smooth Tremolo Transitions
• How To Play Harmony: Part 3
• How To Play Harmony: Part 2
• How To Play Harmony: Part 1
• My Most Versatile Instrument: 10 String Mandocello from Lawrence Smart
• The Guitar Gibson Never Made: Custom Archtop Tenor Guitar
• Chop Chord Alternatives (Part 3)
• Chop Chord Alternatives (Part 2)
• Chop Chord Alternatives (Part 1)
• Brendan Tonra’s (Play Along Jam)
• Brendan Tonra’s (Simple To Complex)
• Brendan Tonra’s
• Crooked Stovepipe (Play Along Jam)
• Crooked Stovepipe (Simple To Complex)
• Crooked Stovepipe
• Know The Speed Before You Start!
• Introduction To The Tenor Banjo
• Intermediate Mandolin Series Episode 5: Improvisation & Melodic Variation
• Intermediate Mandolin Series Episode 4: Get Your Right Hand Moving
• Intermediate Mandolin Series Episode 3: Chord Melody
• Intermediate Mandolin Series Episode 2: Chords and More
• Intermediate Mandolin Series Episode 1: The Tune
• Intermediate Mandolin Series: Introduction
• Repeat After Me: Key Of C
• What Is That Cage? Do Tone-Gards make a difference?
• This Mandolin Lesson is for you! (yes, you!)
• F Hole Vs. Oval Hole Mandolin Comparison: Ellis Comparison
• Oval Hole Mandolin Comparison: Vintage vs. Modern
• Jim Shank: Play Along Jam
• Jim Shank: Simple To Complex
• Repeat After Me: Key of A
• Jamie Allen: Play Along Jam
• Jamie Allen: Simple To Complex
• Repeat After Me: Key of D
• Cider (Play Along Jam)
• Cider (Simple To Complex)
• Building Blocks Of Improvisation (Episode Twelve): Sing and Play Improv
• Building Blocks Of Improvisation (Episode Eleven): Do As I Say, Not As I Do
• Building Blocks Of Improvisation (Episode Ten): Note Density
• My Favorite Irish Music Resource
• Building Blocks Of Improvisation (Episode Nine): Repeat After Me
• A Long Overdue Setup
• Building Blocks Of Improvisation (Episode Eight): Jam Along Practice for Improv Lessons 1 to 7
• Building Blocks Of Improvisation (Episode Seven): Using Dominant 7ths Melodically
• A Simple Listening Exercise that Changes Everything!
• Building Blocks Of Improvisation (Episode Six): Dominant 7ths
• Building Blocks Of Improvisation (Episode Five): Arpeggios
• Building Blocks Of Improvisation (Episode Four): Advanced Target Notes
• Building Blocks Of Improvisation (Episode Three): Target Notes
• Building Blocks Of Improvisation (Episode Two): Fundamentals
• Building Blocks Of Improvisation (Episode One): Variables
• Shove That Pigs Foot A Little Closer To The Fire: Play Along Jam
• Shove That Pigs Foot A Little Closer To The Fire: Simple To Complex
• Introduction To The Mandolin-Banjo
• Chinquapin Hunting (D Major): Play Along Jam
• Chinquapin Hunting (D Major): Simple To Complex
• What Key Are We In? – Understanding Key Signatures
• Swallowtail Jig: Simple To Complex
• Swallowtail Jig: Play Along Jam
• Triplet Boot Camp
• Bubble Notes: Working with Attack and Decay
• Chinquapin Hunting (A Major): Play Along Jam
• Picking an Instrument to Learn: What Instrument Should I Play?
• Chinquapin Hunting (A Major): Simple To Complex
• Do You Have a Ready Position?
• Bowl Back (Tater Bug) Mandolin vs. Oval Hole vs. F Hole Mandolin
• Thumb Position for Shifting Up The Neck
• Hollow Poplar: Play Along Jam
• Hollow Poplar: Simple To Complex
• Learn to Play Melodic Variations
• Get your Right Hand Moving for a Fuller Sounding Tune
• A Tune In My Favorite Alternate Tuning!
• Miss Monaghan’s: Play Along Jam
• Miss Monaghan’s: Simple To Complex
• Learn To Hear Chord Changes (Part 3): The Theory Behind It All
• Learn To Hear Chord Changes (Part 2): The Process!
• Learn To Hear Chord Changes (Part 1): Know The Melody
• Coleman’s March: Play Along Jam
• Coleman’s March: Simple To Complex
• One Tune Played Three Different Ways
• Salt Creek: Play Along Jam
• Salt Creek: Simple To Complex
• Julianne Johnson: Play Along Jam
• Julianne Johnson: Simple To Complex
• Red Wing (Union Maid): Play Along Jam
• Redwing (Union Maid): Simple To Complex
• Over The Waterfall: Play Along Jam
• Over The Waterfall: Simple To Complex
• My Favorite C Chord
• Polska Från Mörkö: Play Along Jam
• Polska Från Mörkö: Simple To Complex
• Polska Från Mörkö
• Fine Times At Our House: Play Along Jam
• Fine Times At Our House: Simple To Complex
• Fine Times At Our House
• Blues in D (Part 2): Play Along Jam
• Blues in D (Part 1): Chords, Melody, & Arpeggios
• Drones and One String Melodies
• How To Sound Your Best
• The Power of Drones
• Cluck Old Hen (Play Along Jam)
• Cluck Old Hen (Simple To Complex)
• Learn To Play Up The Neck
• Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss (Play Along Jam)
• Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss (Simple To Complex)
• East Tennessee Blues Play Along Jam
• East Tennessee Blues (Simple To Complex)
• Modern F Hole Vs. Vintage Oval Hole Mandolin Comparison
• Turn Any Tune Into a Waltz or Jig or Reel
• Harmony & Double Stops (Part 2)
• Harmony & Double Stops (Part 1)
• Liza Jane: Play Along Jam
• Liza Jane: Simple To Complex
• How to Find People to Play Music With: Sessions & Jams
• Cripple Creek (Key of A): Play Along Jam
• Cripple Creek (Key of A): Simple to Complex
• Cripple Creek (Key of G): Play Along Jam
• Cripple Creek (Key of G): Simple to Complex
• Flop Eared Mule Play Along Jam
• Flop Eared Mule (Simple To Complex)
• Elvira’s Waltz (feat. Noah Fishman)
• Cosimo’s Flight Arrangement (feat. Noah Fishman)
• Hey Buddy Hey (feat. Noah Fishman) Arrangement 2: Solos and Outro
• Hey Buddy Hey (feat. Noah Fishman) Arrangement 1: Intro & Chords
• Hey Buddy Hey (feat. Noah Fishman)
• Turkey In The Straw (Simple To Complex)
• Soldier’s Joy (Simple To Complex)
• St. Anne’s Reel (Simple To Complex)
• Red Haired Boy (Simple To Complex)
• Old Joe Clark (Simple To Complex)
• Big Sciota (Simple To Complex)
• Arkansas Traveler (Simple To Complex)
• How Much To Practice
• Galopede
• Pick Grips
• Blackberry Blossom (Simple To Complex)
• How Deep to Pick Into the Strings
• Whiskey Before Breakfast (Simple To Complex)
• Billy In The Lowground (Simple To Complex)
• What Fingers To Use
• Bill Cheatham (Simple To Complex)
• Cherokee Shuffle (Simple to Complex)
• What Are These Things?
• Cherokee Shuffle Play Along Jam
• How to Attach a Strap to a Mandolin
• Angeline The Baker Play Along Jam
• Angeline The Baker (Simple to Complex)
• Bill Cheatham Play Along Jam
• Swing Rhythm vs. Straight Rhythm
• Big Sciota Play Along Jam
• Introduction to the Mandola
• Introduction to the Octave Mandolin
• Turkey In The Straw Play Along Jam
• Old Joe Clark Play Along Jam
• Soldier’s Joy Play Along Jam
• Arkansas Traveler Play Along Jam
• St. Anne’s Reel Play Along Jam
• Another View Of The Right Hand
• Mandolin vs. Mandola vs. Octave Mandolin
• Beginner Series (Part Seven): Beyond the Beginner Series
• Beginner Series (Part Six): Your First Tune (Cindy)
• Beginner Series (Part Five): Your First Song (Cindy)
• Beginner Series (Part Four): The G Major Scale
• Beginner Series (Part Three): Basic Mandolin Strum Pattern
• Beginner Series (Part Two): Your First Chords
• Beginner Series (Part One): Basic Technique
• Behind The Haystack
• Scale Degrees
• The Earl’s Chair
• How To Hear Chord Changes (The House, The Yard, & The Woods)
• Guitar Pick Comparison and Sound Test
• Palm Sunday
• Billy In The Lowground Double Stops and Ornaments
• The Connaughtman’s Rambles
• Billy In The Lowground Play Along Jam
• Devil’s Dream
• Blackberry Blossom Play Along Jam
• Happy Birthday To You
• Cosimo’s Flight Double Stops and Ornaments
• Cosimo’s Flight
• The Cordal Jig Double Stops and Ornaments
• The Lilting Banshee
• Red Haired Boy Play Along Jam
• The Rakes Of Mallow
• Red Haired Boy Double Stops and Ornaments
• Waterbound
• Miss Monaghan’s
• Whiskey Before Breakfast Play Along Jam
• $50 vs $350 vs $4500 Mandolin
• Sail Away Ladies
• Jig Picking Exercises
• Split String Courses
• Liza Jane
• Folding Down The Sheets
• Melodic Variation: Chord Tone Substitutions
• Leather Britches
• Melodic Variation: Octave Substitutions
• June Apple
• Consecutive Downstrokes
• Golden Slippers
• How to Follow Guitar Players (Part 3): Walking Bass Lines
• The Wind That Shakes The Barley
• How to Follow Guitar Players (Part 2): Capo Placement
• Whiskey Before Breakfast
• How to Follow Guitar Players (Part 1): Reading Guitar Chord Shapes
• Flowers Of Edinburgh
• Six Chords From One Shape!
• The Star Above The Garter
• Melodic Fluidity And Good Tone
• The Skye Boat Song
• Don’t Look Down
• The Rights Of Man
• Keep Your Left Hand Fingers Down
• The Moon And Seven Stars
• Should You Plant Your Pinky?
• The Mason’s Apron
• Proper Pick Direction Through Accenting Beats
• The Boys Of Bluehill / Twin Sisters
• See How Far You Have Come
• Star Of The County Down (Waltz)
• Relax And Optimize Your Left Hand
• Star Of The County Down (March)
• Left Hand Strength & Confidence Training
• Old French
• King Of The Fairies
• The Maid Behind The Bar
• The Cliffs Of Moher
• Drowsy Maggie
• The Black Rogue
• Cripple Creek (Key Of A)
• Cripple Creek (Key Of G)
• Two String Chords: Key Of A
• Two String Chords: Key Of G
• Two String Chords: Key Of D
• Hybrid Picking
• Nine Pound Hammer (Part 4): Adding Double Stops
• Nine Pound Hammer (Part 3): Playing In Every Key
• Nine Pound Hammer (Part 2): Picking The Melody
• Nine Pound Hammer (Part 1): Chords & Melody
• Upstroke Sweep
• Connecting Your Fingers To Your Brain (Sing What You Play)
• Musical Modes for Fiddle Tunes (Part 3)
• Musical Modes for Fiddle Tunes (Part 2)
• Musical Modes for Fiddle Tunes (Part 1)
• Using A Metronome (Part 3)
• Using A Metronome (Part 2)
• Using A Metronome (Part 1)
• Tennessee Mountain Fox Chase
• Newt Payne’s Tune
• The South Wind
• Mississippi Palisades
• Tombigbee Waltz
• Pig Ankle Rag
• Farewell Trion
• Cordal Jig
• Coal Harbor Bend
• Cider
• Danny Boy (Londonderry Air)
• Ways Of The World
• Developing a Practice Routine
• Third Position
• Palm Muting
• Shady Grove Part Five: Adding Double Stops and Ornamentation
• Shady Grove Part Four: Picking The Embellished Melody
• Shady Grove Part Three: Picking the Simple Melody
• Shady Grove Part Two: Strum Patterns
• Shady Grove Part One: Chords & Lyrics
• On Common Ground
• The Eighth Of January
• My Darling Asleep
• Ducks On The Millpond (Low Octave)
• Ducks On The Millpond
• The Kesh Jig
• Jimmy Ward’s
• How And When To Use A Capo
• Sounding Good (Tone Production)
• How To Play Triplets (Part 2)
• How To Play Triplets (Part 1)
• Playing Octaves On The Mandolin
• Changing Between Chords and Melody
• Switching Between Chords
• The Silver Spear
• The Green Fields Of Woodford
• The Foxhunter’s Slip Jig
• Seneca Square Dance (Waiting For The Federals)
• Phoebe Ice
• Old Beech Leaves
• Throw It Across The Road
• Miss Thornton’s
• Katie Bar The Door
• Hollow Poplar
• Fire On The Mountain
• Chinquapin Hunting (D Major)
• Chinquapin Hunting (A Major, Low Octave)
• Chinquapin Hunting (A Major)
• Out On The Ocean
• East Tennessee Blues
• Doonagore
• How To Tune The Mandolin
• The Notes of the Mandolin
• Will The Circle Be Unbroken (Part 4)
• Will The Circle Be Unbroken (Part 3)
• Will The Circle Be Unbroken (Part 2)
• Will The Circle Be Unbroken (Part 1)
• Setting Up Your Mandolin (Part 2)
• Setting Up Your Mandolin (Part 1)
• Creating Fiddle Tune Sets (Part 2)
• Creating Fiddle Tune Sets (Part 1)
• How Fast Should I Play?
• Parts of the Mandolin
• Cross Tuning (Alternate Tuning)
• Bluegrass Mandolin – Part 5: Man Of Constant Sorrow Conclusion
• Bluegrass Mandolin – Part 4: Man Of Constant Sorrow Solo (Improvised Break)
• Bluegrass Mandolin – Part 3: Man Of Constant Sorrow Melody Embellished
• Bluegrass Mandolin – Part 2: Man Of Constant Sorrow Melody
• Bluegrass Mandolin – Part 1: Man Of Constant Sorrow Chords
• March à Thomas Pomerleau
• The Newmarket Polka
• Mrs. Macleod’s (Hop High Ladies)
• Sergeant Early’s Dream
• The Britches Full Of Stitches
• Bonnie Tammie
• The Girl I Left Behind Me
• The Blackbird (Hornpipe)
• Sailor’s Hornpipe
• Cold Frosty Morning
• Boil Them Cabbage Down
• Steamboat Quickstep
• Salt Creek
• Off To California
• The Kid On The Mountain
• Kitchen Girl
• Jig Of Slurs
• Grub Springs
• La Bastringue
• Tam Lin (The Glasgow)
• Part 1: Using Open Strings
• Part 4: The Theory Behind Double Stops
• Part 3: Thinking About Chords
• Part 2: Fretting Double Stops
• Country Gardens
• Part 4: Irish Jig Accompaniment
• Part 3: Irish Reel Accompaniment
• Part 2: Cross Picking
• Part 1: Bluegrass Chop Chords
• Cluck Old Hen
• Part 9: Beginner Series Conclusion
• Cherokee Shuffle
• Part 8: Learn To Play a Tune (Cindy)
• Big Sciota
• Part 7: Learn To Play a Scale (G Major)
• Jamie Allen
• Part 6: Learn to Play a Song (Cindy)
• Billy In The Lowground
• Part 5: Basic Strumming Patterns
• Bag Of Spuds
• Part 4: Basic Mandolin Chords
• The Road To Boston
• Part 3: Left Hand Technique
• Jim Shank
• Part 2: Right Hand Technique
• Wayfaring Stranger
• Part 1: Holding The Mandolin
• Lazy John
• Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss
• Coleman’s March
• Julia Delaney’s
• Banish Misfortune
• Shove That Pig’s Foot A Little Closer To The Fire
• Reel Montreal
• Irish Washerwoman
• The Virginia
• Red Wing (The Union Maid)
• Liberty
• Joys Of Quebec
• Fisher’s Hornpipe
• Soldier’s Joy
• Mrs. Galvin’s
• Woodchopper’s Breakdown
• Si Beag Si Mhor
• Petronella
• John Stenson’s
• Jazz Chord Progression – ii, V, I (Part Two)
• Jazz Chord Progression – ii, V, I (Part One)
• Jazz Lesson 3: 3 Note Chords
• Jazz Lesson 2: Extended Chords (9, 11, 13, etc.)
• Jazz Lesson 1: Major 7, Dominant 7, and Minor 7 Chords
• Blues Progression (Part Two)
• Blues Progression (Part One)
• ii, iii, vi Chords
• I, IV, V Chords (Nashville Number System)
• Chop Chords
• Learn To Play In Every Key (Every Major Scale) (Part Two)
• Learn To Play In Every Key (Every Major Scale) (Part One)
• Left Hand Warm Up Exercises
• Right Hand Warm Up Exercises
• How To Play Tremolo
• How To Play Faster
• Learn To Play Every Major And Minor Chord
• Pick Direction – How To Play Jigs
• Pick Direction – How To Play Reels
• How To Build Chords
• Hammer On & Pull Off Techniques
• Playing Simple Chords
• Playing Simple Scales
• The Morning Star
• Harvest Home
• Reel St. Antoine
• Pays De Haut
• The Modal Yodel
• The Blarney Pilgrim
• The Spotted Pony
• Swallowtail Jig
• The Fair Haired Canavans
• Waltz For Two Friends
• The Wren
• Blackberry Blossom
• Red Haired Boy
• Cooley’s Reel
• Swinging On A Gate
• St. Anne’s Reel
• Turkey In The Straw
• Huntsman’s Chorus
• The Hare In The Corn
• Road To Lisdoonvarna
• Arkansas Traveler
• Old Favorite
• The Butterfly
• Bill Cheatham
• Flop Eared Mule
• Old Joe Clark
• The Birdhouse
• Graduation Reel
• Julianne Johnson
• Over The Waterfall
• Angeline The Baker