Mandolin Lessons: Beginning Melody
"Old Joe Clark" Key of A

by Mickey Cochran

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Notes: Although this melody falls within the Key of A, you'll notice that the scalar pattern is a D scale...This gives the song a Modal sound...which is common in fiddle tunes. Fiddle tunes are a great way to gain facility on your mandolin...and, learning how to play them in different keys will assist you in familiarizing yourself with the fingerboard. Notice the repeat signs (the symbols with the double bars and two dots)...this means you go back to the other two dots and repeat the passage. Upon repeating once, then you'll continue on through the piece. Most fiddle tunes have an AABB structure...and, you'll notice that the repeat dots separate these two parts.

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