Following are studies in the key of C...keep in mind, most all songs are based on scale patterns. By learning your C scale, and learning patterns and studies that all fall within these C scale studies, you will be advancing your overall technique. You will be developing facility and dexterity on your mandolin while familiarizing yourself with the fingerboard. This, in turn, will be one of the fastest ways to advance yourself on your instrument. C scale studies will apply to all songs that fall within the key of C...in essence, you will be learning the basic framework that melodies are structured upon. Additionally, scale studies will assist you in playing with others and learning to improvise. This methodology approach will accelerate the learning process far over and above learning one song after another by rote.

Notes: If you're unsure of where to place your fingers and how the notes relate to the fingerboard, be sure to refer back to our visual lessons on the C Scale: On Learning Your C Scale

Bow Strokes: Be sure to alternate your bow strokes...starting with the down bow stroke with each first note...followed by an up stroke on the second notes.

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