by Mickey Cochran

Mandolin Website Map • Return to Lessons Section • Return to Homepage

This is another fiddle tune that lends itself well to the fingerstyle approach. This piece is in the Key of D...if you're unfamiliar with D scale patterns, be sure to go back to our Mandolin Lessons for orientation. In fact, you might consider going through all of our Scales, listed under Mandolin Lessons, using your alternating thumb/index fingerstyle approach you've learned in these lessons.

Notes: Pay special attention to the letters above the tablature. These designate which fingers to use as you fingerpick. The numbers below the tablature no longer indicate the meter. If you've gotten this far, you should now know how to count out each measure...so you should no longer have a problem with meter. We're now going to place the numbers under the tablature to indicate finger placement. Be extra careful to keep an even tempo as you go through this study. In this first study our focus will be on playing with just the thumb and index finger.

Goals: 1. To keep an even tempo. 2. To hit only the strings designated in the sheet music. 3. To gain facility with alternating between the thumb and index fingers. 4. To learn how to switch over to other strings without faltering or accidentally hitting other strings. 5. To gain the coordination between the left and right hands. 6. To learn our first melody using nothing but alternating thumb index patterns.

Picking Hand: T = Thumb • I = Index Finger • M = Middle Finger
Fretting Hand: 1 = Index • 2 = Middle Finger • 3 = Ring Finger • 4 = Little Finger

Learn to Play Crosspicking Mandolin! Interested in learning more about crosspicking mandolin? Consider the "Mandolin Crosspicking Technique" book ... In Print and Available Now! Click here for the Further Information.

 

Mandolin Website Map • Return to Lessons Section • Return to Homepage

---