Shady Grove, Part 3: Upper Octave

from: Intermediate Bluegrass Mandolin with Sharon Gilchrist

This lesson is part of the course Intermediate Bluegrass Mandolin with Sharon Gilchrist.

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About This Course

Learn to play solos on classic bluegrass songs and instrumentals using bluegrass mandolin techniques like tremolo, double stops, two-string melodies, and more.

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I'm Going Back to Old Kentucky

In this lesson you’ll learn the bluegrass standard “I’m Going Back to Old Kentucky” using a common technique in bluegrass mandolin: playing melodies on two pairs of strings. Sharon starts this lesson by talking about the basic right-hand technique for playing two pairs of strings at a time. She shows you how to keep the pick out on the edge of the strings and not let the pick dig in past the strings as well as how to slightly rotate your wrist so you can play all four strings (both pairs) at once. Sharon also gives you advice on practicing this technique with a metronome, with some ideas for exercises you can do.

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Shady Grove

Shady Grove, Part 1

Shady Grove, Part 2

Shady Grove, Part 3: Upper Octave

“Shady Grove” Lower Octave Play-Along Track

“Shady Grove” Upper Octave Play-Along Track

Shady Grove, Part 3: Upper Octave

“Shady Grove” also works well on the mandolin in a higher octave. Sharon shows you a new fingering position for playing in D minor in the upper octave, with your index finger at the third fret. Then she walks you through the melody of “Shady Grove” in that position and shows you how you can use the open D and A strings as drones.

Previous Lesson

← Shady Grove, Part 2

Next Lesson

“Shady Grove” Lower Octave Play-Along Track →

Previous Lesson

← Shady Grove, Part 2

Next Lesson

“Shady Grove” Lower Octave Play-Along Track →

Previous Lesson

← Shady Grove, Part 2

Next Lesson

“Shady Grove” Lower Octave Play-Along Track →

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Shady Grove, Part 3: Upper Octave

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