Old-Time Rhythm

from: Old-Time Mandolin with John Reischman

This lesson is part of the course Old-Time Mandolin with John Reischman.

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About This Course

Learn to play old-time fiddle tunes and song melodies with mandolin master John Reischman. Includes advice on picking technique and playing old-time rhythm on the mandolin.

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Little Liza Jane

John adds a drone string to much of the melody of the B part of “Little Liza Jane,” and the first phrase begins with a clawhammer-style rhythm. John walks you through it phrase by phrase and then shows you how to find the melody of the A part an octave up the neck.

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The Old-Time Mandolin Subscription Includes:

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• Right- and left-hand technique lessons
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• Detailed notation and tablature for each tune
• Play-Along videos so you can play along with John
• Downloadable audio MP3s of each tune

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Old-Time Rhythm

John demonstrates his approach to playing rhythm to old-time tunes in this video. He takes his cue in large part from banjo-uke players in old-time string bands, playing open chords with a steady eighth-note picking pattern with an emphasis on beats two and four instead of the percussive off-beat chop common to bluegrass rhythm mandolin. He also shows you some of the two-finger chords he likes to combine with open strings for a drone effect.

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