The Old Spinning Wheel, Part 1: Basic Melody and Chords

This lesson is part of the course Octave Mandolin with Joe K. Walsh.

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Learn to transfer what you know on the mandolin to its bigger cousin and how to exploit the octave mandolin’s potential for more complex, guitar-oriented accompaniment styles. For intermediate mandolin, fiddle, or guitar players with a basic knowledge of their instrument.

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Inverness

“Inverness” comes from fiddler/mandolinist John Mailander, who recorded it on his album Walking Distance. It’s a beautiful, contemplative melody that alternates measures of 6/4 and 4/4. Joe walks you through the second part of “Inverness” in this video.

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The Old Spinning Wheel

The Old Spinning Wheel, Part 1: Basic Melody and Chords

The Old Spinning Wheel, Part 2: Variations and Harmonies

“The Old Spinning Wheel” Play-Along Track

The Old Spinning Wheel, Part 1: Basic Melody and Chords

Tin Pan Alley composer Billy Hill’s “The Old Spinning Wheel” was first released by Ray Noble and His Orchestra in 1933. The tune has been a sentimental favorite ever since, and is a standard instrumental in bluegrass circles. Check out this nice mandolin and guitar setting in the key of G by Red Rector and Norman Blake from their 1976 album. Joe learned the tune from New England guitarist Lincoln Meyers. He plays “The Old Spinning Wheel” in the key of D on the octave mandolin with many variations on the basic theme. Joe teaches the basic melody and chord progression in this video.

“The Old Spinning Wheel” Notation/Tab (Available to subscribers)

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The Old Spinning Wheel, Part 2: Variations and Harmonies →

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The Old Spinning Wheel, Part 2: Variations and Harmonies →

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