Ultimate Right Hand Workout // Rhythmic Subdivisions // Guitar Technique Lesson guitar guitar lesson Jul 01, 2022

In this lesson, Hayes shows you a great workout to improve your ability to switch between different rhythmic subdivisions like quarter notes, eighth notes, triplets, sixteenth notes, and even odd subdivisions like 5 and 7!

Add this to your daily routine and you’ll improve the strength and...

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Avalon // Jazz Mandolin Duo // Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin jazz performance video Jun 30, 2022

In this video, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are playing the swing standard, “Avalon” by Al Jolson, Buddy DeSylva, and Vincent Rose. Magnus is playing a Phoenix Neo Bluegrass mandolin and Hayes is playing a Red Diamond A-style mandolin. 

In Mandolin Secrets Academy...

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Margaretā€™s Waltz - Mandolin Lesson - Melody mandolin lesson youtube Jun 21, 2022

In this video lesson, I show you how to play the fiddle tune Margaret’s Waltz. It was written by Pat Shuldam Shaw (1917-1977) in 1959. This is an A-major melody, and it’s a charming composition in the music traditions of England, Scotland, and the Shetlands. The mandolin arrangement...

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How to Construct ANY Major Scale on Guitar // Beginner Music Theory Lesson guitar guitar lesson music theory Jun 17, 2022

In this lesson, Hayes teaches you the secret formula to the foundation of most Western styles of music - The Major Scale!

By the end of the video, you will know how to use simple intervals like the whole step and half step to construct linear, single-string major scales on your guitar.

If you...

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The Note Name Fixer - Guitar Fretboard Mapping Exercise guitar guitar lesson Jun 10, 2022

In this video, instructor Hayes Griffin shows you a great exercise to memorize all of the notes on your guitar. This one was originally created by Magnus for the mandolin, but works great on the guitar!

After watching this video, you will have a clear method for mapping your guitar fretboard...

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Podcast Episode #17 How to play swing rhythm? podcast May 27, 2022
 

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

  • Hayes' upcoming Western Swing Rhythm Guitar Webinar
  • Do you teach mandolin or guitar? Tell us your #1 tip for folks trying to learn!
  • What mental tools do you rely on for improvisation? Arpeggios? Scales? Sounds inside your...
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It Donā€™t Mean a Thing - Jazz Solo Ideas - Mandolin Lesson jazz mandolin lesson youtube May 24, 2022

Play a simple but very efficient solo line for the jazz standard “It Don’t Mean a Thing (if you ain’t got that swing)”. In this video, I give you an improvisation framework using guidelines and target notes to get the pleasant sound of chromatics.

In Mandolin Secrets...

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Nordic Folk Mandolin Lesson // Halls Lilla Vals // Melody cross-picking mandolin lesson youtube May 18, 2022

In this video lesson, I show you how to play a Swedish fiddle tune called Halls Lilla Vals. It was written by Jon Erik Hall (1877-1948) from Bergsjö in Hälsingland. The melody starts in D-major, and the second part begins with a B-minor chord. I find it to be an excellent and elegant...

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Mandolin Mondays Featuring Magnus Zetterlund /// "Halls Lilla Vals" performance video May 16, 2022

Back on Mandolin Mondays this week, we have Swedish mandolinist Magnus Zetterlund with us playing a beautiful Swedish fiddle tune called "Halls Lilla Vals" written by Jon Erik Hall (1877-1948) from Bergsjö in Hälsingland.

Magnus is playing a sweet electro-acoustic Phoenix Jazz...

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Boston Boy // Melody // Intermediate Bluegrass Guitar Lesson guitar guitar lesson May 06, 2022

In this video, I show you how to play the bluegrass fiddle tune “Boston Boy.” This one was made famous by the shoutout Bill Monroe gives this tune in “Uncle Pen” and has since been recorded by pros like Ricky Skaggs, David Grisman, and Bearfoot. 

By the end of this...

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Roanoke // Fiddle Melody // Bluegrass Mandolin Lesson bluegrass mandolin lesson youtube May 03, 2022

In this video, instructor Hayes Griffin shows you how to play the classic Bill Monroe fiddle tune, “Roanoke.”

This tune is a right of passage for many bluegrass players, mainly because it is played so darn fast! Never fear though - Hayes gives you some quick tips to maximize the...

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Harmony for Minous Vals by Magnus Zetterlund - Mandolin Lesson mandolin lesson original youtube Apr 27, 2022

In this video, I show you how to play the HARMONY for Minous Vals by me, Magnus Zetterlund. The harmony is using thirds, sixths, and parallel movements but also some counterpoint ideas. 

 In Mandolin Secrets Academy you’ll find:

  • Sheet music/tabs
  • Play-a-long track
  • ...
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