Aaron Weinstein was recently in the Peghead Nation studio recording lessons for his Chord Melody Mandolin course, and took a few minutes to pay tribute to Fred Rogers with this solo version of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” the song that opened all 1,765 episodes of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, with Fred Rogers singing the lyrics as he came through the set door and changed into his famous sweaters and sneakers.

Rogers wrote the song in 1967, and it made its national debut on February 19, 1968 with the airing of the first Mister Rodgers’ show on the National Educational Television network (to be replaced by PBS in 1970). The last episode aired August 31, 2001.

The current wave of interest in Fred Rogers and his body of work is evidenced by the 2018 documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor, and the new biopic released in November 2019 called A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, starring Tom Hanks as Rogers.

Aaron’s take on this song is a beautiful example of the chord melody style that he teaches in his Chord Melody Mandolin course.

Enroll in Chord Melody Mandolin with Aaron Weinstein now and get your first month FREE (or $20 off an annual subscription). Use Promo Code AaronLand at checkout.

Aaron Weinstein has a thriving career as a violin and mandolin soloist, composer, and performer, and recently was named as one of Downbeat’s Rising Stars in the venerable publication’s 2019 critic’s poll. 

Joe K. Walsh and Grant Gordy: “Sweet Georgia Brown” Peghead Naiton mandolin instructor and his longtime collaborator play a classic standard in the studio. Read More

Aaron Weinstein (with Aaron Weinstein): “All of Me” Peghead Nation's Gypsy Jazz Mandolin Essentials instructor plays both rhythm and melody/lead on the 1931 jazz standard. Read More

Joe K. Walsh and Grant Gordy: “Little White Lies” Peghead Nation mandolin instructor plays a great standard with his long-time musical collaborator in the Peghead Nation studio. Read More

Aaron Weinstein: “Pennies From Heaven” Our Chord Melody Mandolin instructor plays the jazz standard introduced by Bing Crosby in 1936. Read More

Aaron Weinstein: “The Folks Who Live On the Hill” Peghead Nation's Chord Melody Mandolin instructor plays a beautiful version of the jazz standard written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein. Read More

Aaron Weinstein: “My Shining Hour” Peghead Nation’s Chord Melody Mandolin instructor plays a Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer song from the 1943 film “The Sky’s the Limit.” Read More

Aaron Weinstein: “Manhattan” Peghead Nation’s Chord Melody Mandolin instructor dips into the Great American Songbook and plays a Rodgers and Hart classic. Read More

Aaron Weinstein: “Tangerine” Peghead Nation’s Chord Melody Mandolin instructor plays an improvisation on a jazz standard. Read More

Aaron Weinstein: How to Tie a Bow Tie On the eve of the release of his new album, Peghead Nation’s Chord Melody Mandolin instructor demonstrates a skill that every mandolin player should know. Read More

Aaron Weinstein: Chord Melody Improv on “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear from Me” Peghead Nation’s Chord Melody Mandolin instructor plays an improvisation on the Duke Ellington classic. Read More