True Life Blues, Part 2: Second Solo and Tremolo

from: Monroe-Style Mandolin with Mike Compton

This lesson is part of the course Monroe-Style Mandolin with Mike Compton.

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Learn traditional bluegrass-style mandolin as exemplified by the father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe, with original transcribed solos and tips on reproducing Monroe’s sound, rhythm, and feel.

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TENNESSEE BLUES

Learn the “fancy high part” (all the way up the 15th fret) of “Tennessee Blues” in this video. Mike takes it apart phrase by phrase, showing you the best way to finger the high notes. You’ll also learn the shorter A section, which features sliding double stops up the neck, and some variations on the regular A section. (For full transcription, see Part 1.)

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TRUE LIFE BLUES

True Life Blues, Part 1: First Solo

“True Life Blues” Play-Along Track: First Solo

True Life Blues, Part 2: Second Solo and Tremolo

“True Life Blues” Play-Along Track: Second Solo

“True Life Blues” Play-Along Track: Both Solos

True Life Blues, Part 2: Second Solo and Tremolo

The second solo you’ll learn to “True Life Blues” is a quite a bit different than the first and is played mostly with tremolo. Mike begins by explaining that the speed of the tremolo is essential to Monroe-style mandolin. The tremolo should be metered off the beat, not played at an arbitrary speed. If you play tremolo any faster or slower than the beat, it won’t work. Mike walks you through the second “True Life Blues” solo phrase by phrase and talks about making sure you play both notes of the double stops at the same time, not by alternating between the two notes.

"True Life Blues" (Available to subscribers)

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