Mike Compton has transcribed over 400 of Bill Monroe’s tunes and solos, and he teaches a lot of those in his Monroe-Style Mandolin course on Peghead Nation. While he was recording his first few lessons, Peghead Nation co-founder and guitar instructor Scott Nygaard joined Mike to play Monroe’s “Tall Timber.”

According to The Music of Bill Monroe (Neil Rosenberg and Charles Wolfe), Monroe recorded the tune in September 1955, with Bobby Hicks and Gordon Terry playing twin fiddles on the track (this reference claims that Vassar Clements, who was also on the session, sat out on this tune). It wasn’t released until Ralph Rinzler discovered the recording in 1963 and issued it as part of the Bluegrass Instrumentals album (1965).

For more traditional bluegrass information and instruction, join Mike’s Monroe-Style Mandolin course.

Learn guitar with Scott in his Flatpicking Guitar, Roots and Blues Rhythm Guitar, and Weekly Guitar Workout courses.

Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard: “Dawg’s Waltz” Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play a David Grisman and Jerry Garcia tune. Read More

Mike Compton and Scott Nygaard: “Bluegrass Special” Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play classic Bill Monroe boogie-woogie tune. Read More

Chad Manning and Scott Nygaard: “Whiskey Before Breakfast” Peghead Nation instructors play a mandolin and guitar version of the jam-session favorite. Read More

John Reischman, Sharon Gilchrist, and Scott Nygaard: “Midnight on the Water” A beautiful performance of the bluegrass classic from the string trio, Harmonic Tone Revealers. Read More

Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard: “Goodbye Liza Jane” Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play an old-time favorite. Read More

Mike Compton and Scott Nygaard: “Bring Your Clothes Back Home” Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play John Hartford’s humorous blues song. Read More

Joe K. Walsh and Grant Gordy: “Storm of the Century of the Week” Mandolin/guitar duo play Gordy’s progressive bluegrass original. Read More

Mike Compton and Scott Nygaard: “Cream and Sugar Blues” Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play classic blues mandolin tune. Read More

The Peregrines: “Red Skies” Peghead Nation mandolin instructor Joe K. Walsh sings an original song with this all-star touring group. Read More

Jordan Tice and Horse County: “Poor Me” Guitarist/singer’s new recording and band includes Peghead Nation dobro instructor Mike Witcher Read More