Matt Flinner

McReynolds Style Mandolin Curriculum (10/3-12/9)

 

 

“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 for McReynolds Style Mandolin with Matt Flinner

 

See the Early Country Mandolin with Matt Flinner curriculum (10/2-12/9)

See the Music Theory for Mandolin Players with Matt Flinner curriculum (10/4-12/2)

 

 

 

 

This course will help you learn the basics of crosspicking on the mandolin 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.  We’ll also explore a couple of great “standard” picking tunes by Jesse.  It’s a great way to add some color and flair to your playing!

Classes will meet on Tuesdays at 2 pm and 9 pm eastern time from October 3 to December 5, with the weeks of October 31 and November 21 off due to Matt’s touring schedule and the Thanksgiving holiday.  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 October 7 to December 9 (again, with November 4 and 25 off due to Matt’s touring schedule and the Thanksgiving holiday).  

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 McReynolds Style Mandolin with Matt Flinner

 

 

WEEK 1 (10/3)

Intro to cross picking

Crosspicking Pattern 1

Double Stops in the key of A

Playing cross picking patterns over double stops

Don’t Say Goodbye if You Love Me

Dixie Road

 

WEEK 2 (10/10)

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

Take My Ring from Your Finger

Rabbit in the Log

 

WEEK 3 (10/17)

Key of G

Crosspicking Pattern II (DEDEADEA)

Low and high double stop positions

Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes

Where the Soul of Man Never Dies 

 

WEEK 4 (10/24)

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)

Gosh I Miss You All the Time

Deep Elem Blues

 

WEEK 5 (11/7)

Some non-cross picking McReynolds tunes 

Picking Exercise III

Minor double stops

Border Ride

Witch Grass

 

WEEK 6 (11/14)

Keys of E and B

E and B double stop exercises

Low and high positions in E and B

It’s a Lonesome Road

Alabam’

 

WEEK 7 (11/28)

More advanced tunes in G

Crosspicking Pattern 3

Throwing In Occasional Crosspicking in Solos

I Wonder Where You Are Tonight 

Stay All Night 

 

WEEK 8 (12/5)

A couple of McReynolds classics

Combining picking patterns

More double stop exercises

Changing octaves

Stony Creek

Sweet Georgia Brown

 

 

The course fee is $225.  

Register here