Mandolin Chord and Rhythm Intensive Curriculum (6/23-7/24)

“Thanks for the terrific class! I had my mandolin lurking in the corner for 9 months before I took this class. I played with it now and then but felt out of my depth, having only played piano in the past. A few weeks into your class, I couldn’t put down my mandolin, practicing far more than my kids want me to. In addition to the wonderful tunes we learned in class, I started to pick out other melodies like Christmas carols, simple gifts, harry potter, star wars; anything I hear I want to find it on the mandolin.”—Randy R.

“Your classes are the best and most successful learning approach for me, Thank you.”—-Eric B.

See the Bluegrass Jamming Curriculum (June 21-July 24)

See the Scale and Arpeggio Intensive Curriculum (June 22-July 24)

This course is intended to help students with playing rhythm—something we do all the time when we play with other people, but tend to neglect in our practice! Various styles of rhythm will be touched on, including folk, bluegrass, swing and blues. Students will be given practical guides to playing in various keys using a variety of chord styles and shapes (open chords, chop chords, 7th chords, 3-note chords, etc.) to be able to approach playing rhythm in various styles and settings. Chord progressions to four songs will be given each week, and students will explore applying the various styles of chords while looking at smooth chord movement, basslines and voice leading in various rhythms. It’s a great way to learn more about the fretboard while getting some practical guides to accompaniment. The course is intended for players of all ability levels (though absolute beginners will likely find it too difficult) who want to expand their possibilities in rhythm playing.

Class sessions meet on Wednesday evenings at 9 pm eastern time, and practice/review sessions meet on Saturdays at 12:30 pm eastern time. Students are encouraged to attend the live sessions (via Zoom), but all sessions are recorded and uploaded to a class website so that students can review them any time if they are unable to attend the sessions.

Here is the curriculum:

WEEK 1 (June 23)

Working in the keys of G and A

Open Chords

Chop Chords

Basslines

3-Note 7th Chords

Moving between chord inversions

Nine Pound Hammer

My Creole Belle

I’m Troubled

I Am a Pilgrim

WEEK 2 (June 30)

Keys of D and C

Diatonic Chord Progressions

Adding some blues rhythm

Sittin’ on Top of the World

Broken Hearted Lover (Delmore Brothers)

Corrina, Corrina

Dark Hollow

WEEK 3 (July 14)

Minor Keys

Open Minor Chords

3-Note Minor Chords

Minor basslines

Summertime

Motherless Children

Wayfaring Stranger

Walking Boss

WEEK 4 (July 21)

More Complex Chord Progressions

More chord inversion movement

Using a variety of chord styles in a progression

Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone

Freight Train

I Don’t Love Nobody

I Miss the Mississippi and You

The course fee is $125.

2 comments on “Mandolin Chord and Rhythm Intensive Curriculum (6/23-7/24)”

Robert Ahl says:

May 31, 2021 at 12:55 pm

I would like a Chord and Rhythm Intensive Course for the keys Bb, B, E and F.
/
Happy Pickin’
Robert

Reply
- Matthew Flinner says:
  
  June 1, 2021 at 8:54 pm
  
  Hi Robert,
  
  Ha! That may have to happen some day. Some of my favorite keys, too.
  
  Thanks,
  Matt
  
  Reply