Mandolin Technique Lesson // Upstroke Power for Volume and Speed mandolin lesson youtube Sep 29, 2023

In this mandolin video lesson, I give you a powerful exercise you can use for any music. We are exaggerating the upstroke, emphasizing the backbeat of the music.

This exercise will increase your picking hand movement and improve your technique for volume, drive, timing, and speed. 

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Vals Efter PĂ„l Karl // Harmony // Nordic Folk Mandolin Lesson mandolin lesson youtube Sep 14, 2023

In this mandolin video lesson, I show you how to play the harmony for a traditional Swedish fiddle tune called Vals efter Pål Karl. This dance tune is a waltz from the region of Älvdalen, Dalarna.

The harmony is quite interesting, following the melody in parallel movements. The...

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Bach Menuet in G Major BWV Anh. 116 - Classical Mandolin Arrangement - Melody Lesson classical mandolin lesson youtube Aug 15, 2023

In this video lesson, I show you how to play a Minuet in G major (BWV Anh. 116) by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is a delightful tune to play on the mandolin and is a lovely introduction to classical and Baroque music, even for jazz, folk, and bluegrass players like me, Magnus Zetterlund. 

Our...

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Majblomman // Melody // Mandolin Lesson mandolin lesson Jul 05, 2023

In this video, I show you how to play a mandolin original called Majblomman by me, Magnus Zetterlund. It’s a lively tune that is fun to play. Majblomman (The Mayflower) is a waltz in A-major with three parts. In this lesson, we are focusing on the melody for the A and B parts. Pay attention...

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Switching Backup to Melody // Mandolin Technique Lesson  mandolin lesson youtube Jun 29, 2023

In this mandolin video lesson, I give my best tips and exercises for going from backup to lead, chords to melody. This is an essential skill; we must practice it to be as fluent as we like. 

I’m demonstrating the exercise with the tune Bill Cheatham, but you can use this concept for...

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Nordic Folk Music // Vals Efter PÄl Karl // Octave Mandolin Lesson  mandolin lesson octave mandolin youtube Jun 15, 2023

In this mandolin video lesson, I show you how to play the chords and backup for a traditional Swedish fiddle tune called Vals efter Pål Karl. This dance tune is a waltz from the region of Älvdalen, Dalarna.

The chords used are A5, D, G, and C. The melody is archaic and raw, and the...

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Right or Wrong // Melody // Swing Mandolin Lesson jazz mandolin lesson swing youtube Jun 08, 2023

In this video, Hayes Griffin shows you how to play the simple melody to the swing standard “Right or Wrong.”

This tune was written in the 1920s, but made popular by Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys in the 1930s. By the end of the lesson, you will know how to play a single-note...

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Mandolin Lesson // Vals Efter PĂ„l Karl // Swedish Traditional Music mandolin lesson nordic folk youtube May 23, 2023

In this mandolin video lesson, I show you how to play a traditional Swedish fiddle tune called Vals efter Pål Karl. This dance tune is a waltz from the region of Älvdalen, Dalarna. The melody is archaic and raw yet groovy in the A-Dorian mode.

 Our arrangement is a three-part...

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Jazz Mandolin Chords - Djangology by Reinhardt & Grappelli - Rhythm Lesson jazz mandolin lesson youtube May 16, 2023

In this mandolin video lesson, I show you how to play the chords and rhythm track for the gypsy jazz classic ”Djangology” by Django Reinhardt/Stephan Grappelli.

Here you’ll find versatile shapes for diminished chords, Minor 7th chords, Major 6th chords, and Dominant 7th chords...

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Årepolskan Harmony - Mandolin Lesson - Nordic Folk Music mandolin lesson nordic folk youtube May 11, 2023

In this video lesson, I show you how to play the harmony to a traditional Swedish fiddle tune called Årepolskan. This dance tune is a triplet polska from the region of Jämtland.

The harmony is quite interesting, following the melody in parallell movements. The intervalls mainly consist...

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Djangology by Reinhardt & Grappelli - Jazz Mandolin Lesson - Melody jazz mandolin lesson youtube Apr 20, 2023

In this mandolin video lesson, I show you how to play the gypsy jazz classic ”Djangology” by Django Reinhardt/Stephan Grappelli. In this video, we’re focusing on the melody.

The melody is straightforward and outlines the chord change in a clever way.

I will also show you how...

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Powerful Exercise for Fretboard Freedom on the Mandolin // Tutorial mandolin lesson youtube Mar 28, 2023

In this video lesson, I want to show you an excellent exercise for improving your fretboard freedom and fretboard knowledge.

The concept is simple. You are taking a fiddle tune you already know in the first position, playing it up the neck in the closed position. 

This exercise is a great...

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