Pickin’ Perfection: 7 Must-Know Bluegrass Standards for Flatpick Guitarists
Bluegrass music, with its lively rhythms and soul-stirring melodies, beckons flatpick guitarists to embark on a thrilling musical journey. For those eager to immerse themselves in the heart of bluegrass, mastering the classics is essential. In this article, we've curated seven must-know bluegrass standards that will elevate your flatpicking game and bring the authentic spirit of bluegrass to your fingertips. You can unlock bluegrass guitar lessons on these classic tunes from flatpicking masters Bryan Sutton, Chris Eldridge, and Tyler Grant here at Artistworks.
Blues Guitar Lesson: 12-Bar Blues Turnarounds & Endings
In the vast landscape of musical genres, the 12-bar blues stands as a timeless testament to the soulful and expressive nature of music. As we delve into the intricate layers of this genre, one cannot overlook the significance of turnarounds and endings, the subtle yet powerful elements that punctuate the rhythmic heartbeat of the blues.
Fiddling in 2024: how it’s shaping up
FEBRUARY 2024
In January we got a running start with some amazing shows with The Duo (myself and fellow Artistworks professor Mike Marshall) and the incrdible string orchestra, The Berklee World Strings, led by inprovising string legend Eugene Friesen.
February got off to a banging, or rather, sawing start with the creation of a new recording by myself and renowned fiddler Bruce Molsky!
Presided over by the brilliant engineer Dave Sinko, this is a raw and very rambunctious duet record of all fiddles and some singing. Very excited about this project! Apparently we already have some festival appearances on the books for this summer, and hope to have the recording out by May 2024. [see more]
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Classical Mandolin Lesson: An Introduction to Tremolo
Instruments are designed, for the most part, to emulate the sonic capabilities of the human voice. What’s beautiful about the human voice, particularly in the context of music, is its ability to convey a vast array of complex emotions by using subtle inflections and intricate nuances within a musical passage. These nuances can be as simple as slightly wavering the volume of a single note or chord—a technique referred to as tremolo—which can completely alter the emotional character of a performance.
The Ultimate Guide to Building Speed on the Mandolin for Bluegrass Players
When it comes to playing bluegrass mandolin, speed is not just a skill—it's an art. Achieving fluid, rapid-fire notes while maintaining clarity and tone is a goal for many aspiring mandolinists. In this ultimate guide, we'll explore various techniques and exercises to help you build speed on your mandolin, along with valuable resources from ArtistWorks and our free mandolin lessons to enhance your learning experience.
10 Advanced Banjo Techniques Every Bluegrass Musician Should Master
Bluegrass music is a genre that resonates with the soul, and the banjo is its beating heart. If you're an intermediate or advanced musician looking to elevate your bluegrass banjo skills, mastering certain techniques is essential. Here, we'll dive into 10 advanced banjo techniques that are pivotal for any bluegrass musician. Plus, we'll link you to some fantastic ArtistWorks courses and provide access to some helpful free video lessons to aid your learning journey.
Harmonica Lesson: Vibrations and Advice on Bending
One of the most expressive qualities of the human voice as a musical instrument is its ability to bend notes and glide seamlessly from one pitch to the next. Note bending is a technique that singers employ frequently, and it’s often mimicked as accurately as possible by a variety of different musical instruments. One instrument, in particular, through which you can bend notes and capture this expressive vocal texture is the harmonica.
Missy Raines Releases New Album, “Highlander”
Last Friday, February 9, 2024, 14-time IBMA Award-winning bassist, vocalist, songwriter, and ArtistWorks bluegrass bass instructor, Missy Raines, released her fifth solo album as a bandleader entitled, Highlander.
New Lesson Just Added!
We’re excited to announce a new lesson has been added: “The Hurricane Rag”. Check it out in the Classic Style Banjo department, or CLICK HERE to go to part 1. Happy Picking!
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Bluegrass Bass Lesson: Using the Number System
When first learning to play an instrument of any kind, one of the most seemingly daunting tasks that musicians face is transposing their favorite tunes from one key to another. Transposing tunes quickly is a skill that is required commonly in the context of bluegrass. Whether adjusting the key of a tune to accommodate the preferred register of a vocalist or fellow instrumentalist, transposing tunes from one key to another is a talent that’s exercised at essentially every bluegrass jam session.