New Lessons Released for June 2021
By: Dan Gabel
June 11, 2021
Great new tunes and techniques to learn in Peghead Nation courses.
Join the Porch Pride Beginner-Friendly Jam-Along with Luisa Lopez | Sunday, June 13
By: Dan Gabel
June 9, 2021
Peghead Nation is sponsoring Porch Pride 2021 and a special all-levels virtual jam.
Teja Gerken, Doug Young, Marla Fibish, and Bruce Victor: “Blind Mary/Cecily”
By: Teja Gerken
June 8, 2021
A guitar and mandolin quartet arrangement of the O’Carolan classic and an original tune.
John Reischman: “Yardbird Suite”
By: Dan Gabel
May 28, 2021
Peghead Nation’s Melodic Mandolin Tunes instructor plays an amazing solo version of a famed Charlie Parker composition.
Tags: Mandolin
Ellis F-5 Special | Ellis Mandolins
By: Ellis Mandolins
May 27, 2021
Tristan Scroggins plays a beautiful F-style mandolin at Carter Vintage Guitars.
Hawktail: “Antilopen”
By: Dan Gabel
May 21, 2021
Peghead Nation fiddle instructor Brittany Haas plays a Swedish fiddle tune with her powerhouse garage band.
Register Now! Improvising for Mandolin and Fiddle with Joe K. Walsh | Live Workshop Series
By: Dan Gabel
May 20, 2021
Learn to improvise on fiddle tunes, create new melodies over chord changes, practice the arpeggios and scales you need to play jazz tunes, and more with Joe K. Walsh in this eight-week live workshop.
Tags: Mandolin
Mike Compton and Joe Newberry: “Last Chance”
By: Dan Gabel
May 15, 2021
Peghead Nation’s Monroe-Style Mandolin instructor and his duo partner play a classic banjo tune from Virginia old-time musician Hobart Smith.
New Lessons Just Released For May
By: Dan Gabel
May 3, 2021
Peghead Nation instructors have added new tunes and techniques for you to learn.
Flattop Octave Mandolin | Northfield Mandolins
April 30, 2021
Elderly Instruments demonstrates a great option for a low-tuned eight-string.
Garrison, Gordy, Hargreaves, Walsh: “Sports”
By: Dan Gabel
April 23, 2021
Watch a video of an original song from “Bluegrass and the Abstract Truth,” with mandolin from Peghead Nation instructor Joe K. Walsh, and illustration by our banjo instructor Danny Barnes.
Welcome to Peghead Nation | Site Tour
By: Dan Gabel
April 13, 2021
How to find your courses, lessons, My Account page, Play-Along Tracks, and more.
Apitius Yorkville
By: Teja Gerken
April 12, 2021
Aaron Weinstein demonstrates his new jazz mandolin.
New Lessons Released for April 2021
By: Dan Gabel
April 7, 2021
Great new tunes and techniques to learn, plus a brand new Octave Mandolin course.
Aaron Weinstein: “Can’t Give You Anything But Love”
By: Teja Gerken
April 3, 2021
Peghead Nation instructor plays the jazz standard on an Apitius acoustic-electric mandolin.
New Course! Octave Mandolin with Joe K. Walsh Now Available
By: Dan Gabel
April 1, 2021
Learn to transfer what you know on the mandolin to its bigger cousin, with lessons in technique, accompaniment, and great tunes.
Tags: Mandolin, Octave Mandolin
Brittany Haas and Chris Thile: “Shenandoah Valley Breakdown”
By: Dan Gabel
March 22, 2021
Peghead Nation's Fiddle Style Workshop instructor plays a bluegrass fiddle tune with the mandolin-master-host of Live From Here.
Don Stiernberg: “It’s a Good Day” | Northfield Mandolins
March 20, 2021
The jazz mandolin great performs at the Marshall Mandolin Summit.
Tags: Mandolin, Northfield
1921 Gibson A-4
By: Teja Gerken
March 15, 2021
Peghead Nation’s Irish Backup Guitar instructor Flynn Cohen demonstrates his vintage mandolin.
Octave Mandolin with Joe K. Walsh | New Course Coming Soon
By: Dan Gabel
March 15, 2021
Learn to transfer what you know on the mandolin to its bigger cousin, with instruction in octave mandolin tunes and accompaniment techniques. Sign up for email updates about the launch!
Tags: Mandolin
Flynn Cohen and Marla Fibish: “The Torn Jacket”/“Toss the Feathers”
By: Dan Gabel
March 2, 2021
Peghead Nation’s Irish Backup Guitar instructor plays a set of reels with our Irish Mandolin instructor.
New Lessons and Tunes Added to Peghead Nation Courses | March 2021
By: Dan Gabel
March 1, 2021
Our instructors have added great new tunes and techniques that you can jump into right now.
1910s Gibson H-1
By: Teja Gerken
February 15, 2021
Joe K. Walsh demonstrates his vintage mandola, which he set up with an old DeArmond pickup for playing electric.
John Reischman: “Grey Eagle”
By: Dan Gabel
February 12, 2021
The mandolin master plays a solo arrangement of the popular old-time fiddle tune.
Tags: Fiddle Tunes, Mandolin
Hawktail Concert: Back Porch Festival
By: Dan Gabel
February 10, 2021
Peghead Nation fiddle instructor and her progressive acoustic band perform a great live set.
Jayson Bowerman Bambino
By: Teja Gerken
January 25, 2021
John Reischman demonstrates his flattop octave mandolin.
Dale Russ and Marla Fibish: “The Kerry Reel/The Beauty Spot”
By: Scott Nygaard
January 25, 2021
A medley of Irish reels from Peghead Nation’s renowned Irish fiddle and mandolin teachers.
Sierra Hull: “Grey Owl” | Northfield Mandolins
January 23, 2021
Sierra Hull plays a fiddle tune on her Northfield octave mandolin.
Session Video and Materials | Melodic Embellishment: A Doorway to Improvisation
By: Dan Gabel
January 20, 2021
Watch videos and download materials for sessions of Sharon’s workshop on improvising.
New Lessons in the String School for January
By: Dan Gabel
January 10, 2021
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
John Reischman, Scott Nygaard, Sharon Gilchrist, Joe K. Walsh: “The Eighth of January”
By: Dan Gabel
January 8, 2021
A three-mandolin, one-guitar version of the popular fiddle tune, played by the instructors at the first Peghead Nation Mandolin Camp.
Sharon Gilchrist’s Melodic Embellishment Live Workshop | Introductory Video
By: Dan Gabel
January 1, 2021
Join Sharon’s live Zoom workshop, happening every other week, starting on Saturday, January 16 and ending on Saturday, April 24.
Tags: Mandolin
Materials for Melodic Embellishment Workshop with Sharon Gilchrist
By: Dan Gabel
December 30, 2020
Download the audio files and notation/tablature for the tunes that you’ll use in Sharon’s 8-session workshop.
Tags: Mandolin
Joe K. Walsh and Brittany Karlson: “When It’s Over”
By: Dan Gabel
December 26, 2020
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor plays a beautiful tune he recently wrote for the “Top Shelf Sheffield” video series.
Tim O’Brien: “Grandma’s Hands” | Northfield Mandolins
December 23, 2020
The songwriter and multi-instrumentalist plays an original song live at the Marshall Mandolin Summit.
Mike Compton and Scott Nygaard: “Bluegrass Special”
By: Dan Gabel
December 22, 2020
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play classic Bill Monroe boogie-woogie tune.
John Doyle, Marla Fibish, and Mick McAuley: “Loftus Jones/A Fair Wind/The Collier’s Reel/Dan Breen’s”
By: Teja Gerken
December 19, 2020
Peghead Nation Irish Mandolin instructor joins former Solas members John Doyle and Mick McAuley for an impromptu set of tunes.
Watch John Reischman’s Double-Stops Workshop
By: Dan Gabel
December 12, 2020
Our Melodic Mandolin Tunes instructor walks through helpful exercises for working double-stops into your accompaniment and soloing in this workshop.
Martin Guitar Museum Tour with Chris Martin | Part 4
By: Martin Guitar
December 10, 2020
The Martin Guitar CEO talks about the introduction of mandolins and ukuleles in the early 1900s.
The Calhoun | Northfield Mandolins
December 9, 2020
The making of Northfield's great flattop mandolin.
Aaron Weinstein: “My Shining Hour”
By: Dan Gabel
December 8, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Chord Melody Mandolin instructor plays a Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer song from the 1943 film “The Sky’s the Limit.”
Welcome, Peghead Nation Subscribers, to Your New Website!
By: Dan Gabel
December 1, 2020
Watch a walk-through video with information about how to log in, navigate through your courses, use the new features, and more.
Sarah Jarosz and Mike Marshall: “Mansinneedof” | Northfield Mandolins
November 30, 2020
A great mandolin duet of Sarah Jarosz’s original tune, recorded live at the Marshall Mandolin Summit.
Tags: Mandolin, Northfield
Don Stiernberg Trio: “I’m Old Fashioned” | Northfield Mandolins
November 13, 2020
The mandolin master plays a great version of the Jerome Kern classic with his trio, live at the Marshall Mandolin Summit.
Tags: Mandolin, Northfield
Joe K. Walsh, Bruce Molsky, Darol Anger, and Brittany Karlson: “Innisfree”
By: Dan Gabel
November 10, 2020
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor plays an original composition set to a W.B. Yeats poem, with his fellow Peghead Nation and Berklee College of Music instructors.
Tags: Mandolin
Register for John Reischman’s Live Mandolin Workshop
By: Dan Gabel
November 2, 2020
Saturday, December 12 at 11 AM Pacific Time on Zoom
Tags: John Reischman, Mandolin
Flynn Cohen and Marla Fibish: “The Famous Ballymote” and “The Morning Star”
By: Dan Gabel
October 15, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Irish Backup Guitar instructor flatpicks a set of reels with our Irish Mandolin instructor.
Joe K. Walsh, Jake Howard, Ethan Setiawan, Grant Gordy, and Darol Anger: “Ricochet”
By: Dan Gabel
October 12, 2020
Joe K. Walsh gathered mandolin compatriots together with his Mr Sun bandmates for a fun take on David Grisman’s tune “Ricochet” at the Great Lakes Music Camp this fall.
New Tunes, Techniques, and Lessons Added for October
By: Dan Gabel
October 1, 2020
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Lawrence Smart A-Style Mandola
By: Teja Gerken
September 28, 2020
John Reischman demonstrates his mandola.
Alice Howe | The Shubb Partial Capo as a Songwriter’s Tool
By: Shubb Capos
September 16, 2020
The songwriter talks about using a partial capo to open up new songwriting ideas.
Aaron Weinstein: “Manhattan”
By: Dan Gabel
September 14, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Chord Melody Mandolin instructor dips into the Great American Songbook and plays a Rodgers and Hart classic.
New Tunes, Techniques, and Lessons Added for September
By: Dan Gabel
September 2, 2020
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Northfield Big Mon Comparison | Northfield Mandolins
September 2, 2020
Two Big Mon mandolins, one built with Engelmann, the other with an Adirondack spruce top, played back-to-back.
Teja Gerken, Doug Young, Marla Fibish, and Bruce Victor: “Here Comes the Sun”
By: Dan Gabel
August 25, 2020
An acoustic quartet arrangement of the Beatles classic.
John Reischman and Mike Marshall: “La Arboleda” | Northfield Mandolins
August 14, 2020
Two mandolin masters play a Puerto Rican tune that John learned from a recording of cuatro player Pedro Padilla.
New Tunes, Techniques, and Lessons Added for August
By: Dan Gabel
August 3, 2020
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Sarah Jarosz: “Build Me Up From Bones” | Northfield Mandolins
July 29, 2020
The songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist performs live at the Marshall Mandolin Summit.
Watch Our Soloing and Improvising Workshop | Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard
By: Dan Gabel
July 23, 2020
Our mandolin and guitar instructors talk about their unique approaches to improvising and field questions from their students in this 90-minute workshop.
Chad Manning and Scott Nygaard: “Whiskey Before Breakfast”
By: Dan Gabel
July 22, 2020
Peghead Nation instructors play a mandolin and guitar version of the jam-session favorite.
John Reischman and Don Stiernberg: “Yardbird Suite” | Northfield Mandolins
July 16, 2020
Two mandolin masters play a great version of Charlie Parker’s classic 1946 bebop composition, live at the Marshall Mandolin Summit.
John Reischman, Sharon Gilchrist, and Scott Nygaard: “Midnight on the Water”
By: Dan Gabel
July 9, 2020
A beautiful performance of the bluegrass classic from the string trio, Harmonic Tone Revealers.
Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard: “Dawg’s Waltz”
By: Dan Gabel
July 2, 2020
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play a David Grisman and Jerry Garcia tune.
Watch Aaron Weinstein’s Live Chord Melody Mandolin Workshop
By: Dan Gabel
July 1, 2020
Our Chord Melody Mandolin instructor fielded questions from his students and other mandolin enthusiasts in a wide-ranging one-hour live session on Facebook. Check out the video here.
New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation for July
By: Dan Gabel
July 1, 2020
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Marla Fibish and Dale Russ: “Dever the Dancer” and “Hunting the Hare”
By: Dan Gabel
July 1, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Irish mandolin and fiddle teachers play a medley of Irish slip jigs.
Watch the Scroggins & Rose Live Event
By: Dan Gabel
June 30, 2020
The great violin and mandolin duo took over our Facebook feed recently to play a few tunes and talk about their fine new album, “Curios.”
Brittany Haas and Chris Thile: “Crow Molly”/“Ship in the Clouds”
By: Dan Gabel
June 6, 2020
Peghead Nation fiddle instructor Brittany Haas and “Live From Here” host Chris Thile play tunes by their hero (and our co-founder) Scott Nygaard, during a show in San Francisco.
New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation for June
By: Dan Gabel
June 5, 2020
Kick-off your summer with new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
California Banjo Extravaganza: “Chinquapin Hunting”
By: Dan Gabel
May 30, 2020
A performance from a Peghead-packed band of Bill Evans, Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally.
Aaron Weinstein: “Tangerine”
By: Dan Gabel
May 28, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Chord Melody Mandolin instructor plays an improvisation on a jazz standard.
Ellis Mandolins | Custom A-Style Mandolin
By: Ellis Mandolins
May 21, 2020
An artful short film of Josh Lutrell going through the finishing process on a custom A-style Ellis Mandolin, shot on a RED Gemini 5K camera.
Small Town Therapy: “Ramona’s Waltz”
By: Dan Gabel
May 21, 2020
Adam Roszkiewicz and Leif Karlstrom play one of their original compositions from their first album.
Northfield Archtop Octave Mandolin
By: Teja Gerken
May 20, 2020
Joe K. Walsh demonstrates his archtop guitar–inspired octave mandolin.
Watch Mike Compton’s Monroe-Style Mandolin Workshop
By: Dan Gabel
May 13, 2020
The mandolin master took over the Peghead Nation Facebook feed recently to answer questions from his students and play a few tunes. Watch it all here.
New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation for May
By: Dan Gabel
May 6, 2020
New lessons to keep your momentum going! Check out the lessons, tunes, and techniques to learn in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Kenny Smith: “Over the Waterfall” | Collings
By: Collings Guitars
May 1, 2020
The guitar master plays his arrangement of a traditional classic on a Collings 002H 14-Fret.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Mandolin
John Reischman and Scott Nygaard: “In the Pines”
By: Dan Gabel
April 29, 2020
Two revealers of harmonic tone play a bluegrass classic.
Watch Marla Fibish’s Irish Mandolin Workshop
By: Dan Gabel
April 28, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Irish Mandolin instructor took over our Facebook feed recently for an hour-long Q&A session with her Peghead Nation students. Watch the whole video here.
The Evolution of the Collings T-Series
By: Collings Guitars
April 28, 2020
Collings Guitars’ Steve McCreary, guitarist Chris Eldridge, and other team members talk about how they developed the popular Traditional Series.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Mandolin
Derk’s Discoveries: Irish Comfort
By: Derk Richardson
April 19, 2020
Marla Fibish brightens our days with Irish mandolin music.
Tags: Irish Music, Mandolin
Watch Aaron Weinstein’s Live Mandolin Workshop
By: Dan Gabel
April 18, 2020
Our Chord Melody Mandolin instructor fielded questions from his students and other mandolin enthusiasts in a wide-ranging one-hour live session on Facebook. Check out the video here.
Kenny Smith: “Forked Deer” | Collings
By: Collings Guitars
April 16, 2020
The guitar master plays his arrangement of a bluegrass classic on a Collings D1 A T S.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Mandolin
Bluegrass Mandolin Fingerboard Method with Sharon Gilchrist Is Now Live!
By: Dan Gabel
March 16, 2020
Sharon Gilchrist teaches you to play solos to any bluegrass song in any key using her method based on arpeggios, double-stops, and chop-chord shapes.
Tags: Mandolin
Flynn Cohen and Marla Fibish: “Winnie Hayes” and “Anthony Frawley’s”
By: Dan Gabel
March 16, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Irish Mandolin instructor plays a set of jigs with our Irish Backup Guitar instructor.
New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation
By: Dan Gabel
March 5, 2020
What to do with all of that time? Check out the lessons, tunes, and techniques to learn in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
1928 Gibson F-5 Master Model “Fern”
By: Teja Gerken
March 2, 2020
A beautiful post–Lloyd Loar era F-5 mandolin.
Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard: “Watson’s Blues”
By: Dan Gabel
February 13, 2020
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play a tune that Bill Monroe wrote and named after one of his favorite guitarists, Doc Watson.
Kenny Smith: “Angeline the Baker” | Collings
By: Collings Guitars
February 6, 2020
The guitar master plays his arrangement of a bluegrass classic on a Collings 001 14-Fret.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Mandolin
New Album from Marla Fibish
By: Dan Gabel
February 2, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Irish Mandolin instructor releases “The Bright Hollow Fog,” an album of beautiful solo and duo performances on mandolin and mandola.
Andrew Marlin with Eli West, Christian Sedelmyer, Clint Mullican: “Wooden Spoon Over by the Sink”
By: Dan Gabel
February 2, 2020
Andrew Marlin and his band plays an original tune from his instrumental album, “Buried in a Cape,” backstage at Terrapin Crossroads.
Derk’s Discoveries: Stunning Formations
By: Derk Richardson
January 31, 2020
The string quartet Hawktail soars above the New Acoustic Music plain.
David Howley and Seth Taylor: “Blackberry Blossom” | Collings
By: Collings Guitars
January 13, 2020
The guitarist from We Banjo 3 and the guitarist from Mountain Heart play a bluegrass favorite.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Mandolin
Hawktail: “Annbjørg”
By: Dan Gabel
January 10, 2020
Peghead Nation fiddle instructor Brittany Haas and her progressive acoustic band play an original tune from their new album, “Formations.”
Hours of New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation
By: Dan Gabel
January 8, 2020
The new year brings new tunes and techniques to learn on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass.
Joe K. Walsh with Brittany Haas, Darol Anger, Missy Raines, and Grant Gordy: “Fiddler of Dooney”
By: Dan Gabel
January 2, 2020
Joe K. Walsh set a William Butler Yeats poem to music and plays it here with an all-star band, live at the Great Lakes Music Camp last fall.
Aaron Weinstein: “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
By: Dan Gabel
November 29, 2019
Peghead Nation’s Chord Melody Mandolin instructor plays the theme song to “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
Northfield Calhoun
By: Teja Gerken
November 21, 2019
A great-sounding US-made flattop mandolin at an affordable price.
Brittany Haas with Joe K. Walsh, Darol Anger, Missy Raines, Grant Gordy, and Ethan Setiawan: “Dry and Dusty”
By: Dan Gabel
November 21, 2019
Brittany Haas and an all-star band play a beautiful version of the popular Texas fiddle tune, live at the Great Lakes Music Camp this fall.
Mike Compton and Joe Newberry: “Singing As We Rise”
By: Dan Gabel
November 13, 2019
The old-time duo plays the Joe Newberry original that won IBMA’s Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year for 2012, live in the Peghead Nation studio.
Joe K. Walsh, Jake Howard, Ethan Setiawan, Grant Gordy, and Darol Anger: “E.M.D.”
By: Dan Gabel
November 9, 2019
A smoking triple-mandolin version of David Grisman’s tune “E.M.D.,” recorded at the Great Lakes Music Camp 2019.
John Reischman with Joe K. Walsh, Darol Anger, Missy Raines, and Hayes Griffin: “Salt Spring”
By: Dan Gabel
October 29, 2019
John Reischman plays one of his popular original tunes with an all-star band at the Great Lakes Music Camp this fall.
Small Town Therapy: “33”
By: Dan Gabel
October 2, 2019
Adam Roszkiewicz and Leif Karlstrom play one of their original fiddle and mandolin compositions from their latest album, “Dreams and Circumstances.”
Shubb Capos | Roger Tallroth | “The Pearl Polska”
By: Shubb Capos
October 1, 2019
Väsen guitarist Roger Tallroth plays a solo version of a haunting polska on an octave mandolin.
John Reischman: “Little Pine Siskin”
By: Dan Gabel
September 10, 2019
Peghead Nation’s Melodic Mandolin Tunes instructor plays a solo version of an original tune he recorded on his stellar “Walk Along John” album.
Tags: Fiddle Tunes, Mandolin
Joy Kills Sorrow: “Such Great Heights”
By: Dan Gabel
August 29, 2019
Peghead Nation welcomes our two newest instructors, Zoe Guigueno and Wes Corbett, who played together in the influential stringband Joy Kills Sorrow.
Aaron Weinstein: How to Tie a Bow Tie
By: Dan Gabel
August 28, 2019
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.
Waterloo WL-M
By: Teja Gerken
August 26, 2019
A flattop mandolin inspired by budget instruments of the 1930s and ’40s.
Aaron Weinstein: Chord Melody Improv on “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear from Me”
By: Dan Gabel
August 7, 2019
Peghead Nation’s Chord Melody Mandolin instructor plays an improvisation on the Duke Ellington classic.
Jerry Douglas & Tommy Emmanuel: “Halfway Home” | Ear Trumpet Labs
By: Ear Trumpet Labs
July 30, 2019
The dobro master and fingerstyle powerhouse play Tommy’s original tune in the Ear Trumpet Labs workshop.
Shubb Capos | Roger Tallroth and Olov Johansson | “Bison Polska”
By: Shubb Capos
July 30, 2019
Members of Väsen play an octave mandolin and nyckelharpa version of an original polska.
2000 Gilchrist F-5
By: Teja Gerken
July 22, 2019
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor Joe K. Walsh demonstrates his new Gilchrist mandolin, which was previously owned by Andrew Marlin and Aubrey Haynie.
Shubb Capos | John Jorgenson Quintet: “Ghost Dance”
By: Shubb Capos
July 2, 2019
Watch a smokin’ live performance of John Jorgenson’s original tune, with his stellar gypsy jazz band.
Joe K. Walsh and Grant Gordy: “Daphne”
By: Dan Gabel
June 17, 2019
Peghead Nation’s mandolin instructor plays a Django Reinhardt tune with his bandmate and frequent duo partner.
Aaron Weinstein: “Over the Rainbow”
By: Dan Gabel
May 30, 2019
Peghead Nation’s new Chord Melody Mandolin instructor plays a beautiful version of a classic song from “The Wizard of Oz.”
Chord Melody Mandolin with Aaron Weinstein Now Available!
By: Dan Gabel
May 30, 2019
Sign up now for our latest mandolin course, and learn how to combine chords and melody to play jazz standards.
Tags: Mandolin
What is a Cittern? | Elderly Instruments
May 1, 2019
Elderly’s Chris Rietz demonstrates a Nyberg Short Scale Cittern, and discusses the instrument’s history and playability, and how to best use it in folk music.
Sharon Gilchrist and John Reischman: “The Road to Malvern”
By: Dan Gabel
April 30, 2019
A great mandolin duet from two masters and members of Peghead Nation's illustrious mandolin instruction staff.
Tags: Mandolin
Scroggins and Rose: “Marvel”
By: Dan Gabel
April 23, 2019
Tristan Scroggins and Alisa Rose play a new original composition in the Peghead Nation studio.
Join Matt Munisteri at Red Hot Strings Workshop | Port Townsend, Washington, May 15–19
By: Dan Gabel
April 1, 2019
Peghead Nation’s jazz guitar instructor hosts a workshop and celebration of hot jazz, 1930s swing, Western and Hawaiian swing, and much more.
Shubb Capos | Väsen, Mike Marshall, and Darol Anger | “Flippen”
By: Shubb Capos
March 22, 2019
A powerhouse collaboration on stage at Wintergrass 2018, playing the Väsen tune “Flippen” with a fun interlude of “Squirrel Hunters.”
Collings MT2 Quilted Maple Mandolin
By: Teja Gerken
March 14, 2019
A great A-style mandolin built with premium woods.
Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard: “Goodbye Liza Jane”
By: Dan Gabel
February 4, 2019
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play an old-time favorite.
Mike Compton and Scott Nygaard: “Bring Your Clothes Back Home”
By: Dan Gabel
January 22, 2019
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play John Hartford’s humorous blues song.
David Howley and Ross Holmes: “St. Anne’s Reel” | Collings
By: Collings Guitars
January 21, 2019
The guitarist from We Banjo 3 and the fiddle player from Cadillac Sky, Mumford and Sons, and others play an Irish music favorite at Collings headquarters in Austin, Texas.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Mandolin
Ned Luberecki: “Take Five” | California Banjo Extravaganza
By: Dan Gabel
December 19, 2018
A performance of the jazz classic by the 2018 IBMA Banjo Player of Year, with Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally.
Chris Eldridge: ”Church Street Blues” | Collings Guitar
By: Collings Guitars
November 20, 2018
Critter plays a solo version of the Norman Blake classic, live at the Collings Guitars’ IBMA Bluegrass Ramble showcase in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Mandolin
California Banjo Extravaganza: “Angeline the Baker”
By: Dan Gabel
November 14, 2018
A performance from Bill Evans, Chris Coole, and Ned Luberecki, with a Peghead-packed band of Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally.
John Reischman and the Jaybirds: “Little Pine Siskin”
By: Dan Gabel
October 30, 2018
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor plays an original tune with his band at the IBMA World of Bluegrass festival.
Monroe Mondays: “Stoney Lonesome”
By: Tristan Scroggins
October 29, 2018
Another Bill Monroe Tune from the famed Road to Columbus.
Maegen Wells A-Style Mandolin and 15-Inch Archtop Guitar
By: Teja Gerken
October 25, 2018
Luthier Maegen Wells discusses two of her instruments in the Peghead Nation video studio.
Shubb Capos | Roger Tallroth and Mike Marshall | “Forslund”
By: Shubb Capos
October 24, 2018
A pretty polska played on mandolin and octave mandolin by Väsen guitarist Roger Tallroth and Mike Marshall.
Della Mae: “Peg Monster” | Ear Trumpet Labs & D’Addario
By: Ear Trumpet Labs
October 15, 2018
The Americana powerhouse plays an original song in the Ear Trumpet Labs yurt at the Grey Fox Festival.
Banana Stand Media Presents Ear Trumpet Labs
By: Ear Trumpet Labs
October 8, 2018
Founder Patrick Graham talks about the creation of the Ear Trumpet Labs company and his inspiration behind making the custom microphones.
John Reischman and the Jaybirds: “Hop High My Lulu Gal”
By: Dan Gabel
October 4, 2018
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor plays a traditional favorite with his band at the IBMA World of Bluegrass festival.
Monroe Mondays: “Scotland”
By: Tristan Scroggins
September 17, 2018
Bill Monroe wrote this tune as a twin-fiddle homage to the sound of Highland bagpipes
Collings MT Torrefied | “Cherokee Shuffle”
By: Collings Guitars
August 30, 2018
Alex Rueb plays a rendition of the traditional favorite on a Collings MT featuring a torrefied Sitka spruce top.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Mandolin
Sharon Gilchrist Talks Mandolin
By: Dan Gabel
August 29, 2018
Our Beginning Mandolin and Intermediate Bluegrass Mandolin instructor played a few tunes and answered questions from her students on Facebook Live, and here's the whole video.
Mike Compton: “Rawhide”
By: Dan Gabel
August 29, 2018
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor plays a blistering fast Bill Monroe tune.
Shubb C1 Standard Capo
By: Shubb Capos
August 24, 2018
A close-up look at the capo of choice for millions of musicians worldwide.
2007 Heiden Heritage F-5
By: Teja Gerken
August 10, 2018
Peghead Nation instructor John Reischman demonstrates his Michael Heiden F-Style mandolin.
Harmonic Tone Revealers: “Sail Away Ladies”
By: Dan Gabel
August 4, 2018
Peghead Nation instructors John Reischman, Sharon Gilchrist, and Scott Nygaard play the Kenny Baker version of this traditional favorite.
Shubb Capos | Väsen, Mike Marshall, and Darol Anger | “Egypt”
By: Shubb Capos
August 2, 2018
Exclusive video of the supergroup playing Mike Marshall’s tune “Egypt” live at Wintergrass 2018.
Monroe Mondays: “Ozark Rag”
By: Tristan Scroggins
July 16, 2018
One of the many tunes Bill Monroe wrote in his later years.
Keep Going!
By: John Bartmann
July 6, 2018
Practical tips on how to find the motivation to keep practicing when life, schedules, and distractions pull at you.
Nugget A-Style Standard Mandolin
By: Teja Gerken
June 21, 2018
Joe K. Walsh demonstrates his 2016 Nugget, built by luthier Mike Kemnitzer.
Tags: Instrument Demo, Mandolin
2002 Gilchrist F-5
By: Teja Gerken
May 31, 2018
Mike Compton discusses and demos his primary mandolin, which was built to match the tone of Bill Monroe’s Gibson F-5.
Scroggins and Rose: “St. Anne’s Reel Improvisation”
By: Dan Gabel
May 17, 2018
Tristan Scroggins and Alisa Rose explore the possibilities of a bluegrass and Irish music favorite.
Harmonic Tone Revealers: “It’s My Lazy Day”
By: Dan Gabel
May 8, 2018
Peghead Nation instructors John Reischman, Sharon Gilchrist, and Scott Nygaard play a Smiley Burnett song during a recent house concert.
Mike Compton and Joe Newberry, “Please Baby”
By: Dan Gabel
April 30, 2018
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor and his duo partner play “Please Baby” during a late-night set.
A. Lawrence Smart A-Style Mandola
By: Teja Gerken
April 27, 2018
Joe K. Walsh demonstrates his go-to mandola.
Bill Evans, John Reischman, and Kenny Smith: “Studebaker”
By: Dan Gabel
March 7, 2018
Flatpicking master Kenny Smith plays one of his original tunes with Peghead Nation banjo and mandolin instructors, along with bassist Max Schwartz and fiddler Nate Lee.
John Reischman and Scott Nygaard: “The North Shore”
By: Dan Gabel
March 2, 2018
Peghead Nation instructors play a mandolin and guitar duet of John Reischman’s original waltz.
New Course! Bluegrass Mandolin Jam Favorites with Joe K. Walsh
By: Dan Gabel
March 1, 2018
Learn classic versions of the most popular tunes that show up at bluegrass jams all over the world. Join Joe now!
Tags: Mandolin
Monroe Mondays: “Northern White Clouds”
By: Tristan Scroggins
February 26, 2018
The toilet paper song.
Marla Fibish and Dale Russ: “The Killavil Jig/Banish Misfortune”
By: Scott Nygaard
February 22, 2018
Peghead Nation’s Irish fiddle and mandolin teachers play a medley of Irish jigs.
Scroggins and Rose: “Frayed Knot”
By: Dan Gabel
February 14, 2018
Tristan Scroggins and Alisa Rose play an original composition from their recent album of mandolin and fiddle duets.
Mike Compton: “Bluegrass Ramble”
By: Scott Nygaard
January 31, 2018
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor plays a Bill Monroe cross-tuned instrumental.
Monroe Mondays: “The Lloyd Loar”
By: Tristan Scroggins
January 8, 2018
A tune of rebirth, named by the man who repaired Bill Monroe’s iconic mandolin.
Collings Guitars D1 A T | Bob Minner
By: Collings Guitars
January 5, 2018
Guitarist Bob Minner plays his original composition “Liam’s Lullaby” on his Collings D1 A T (Traditional Series).
Tags: Collings Guitars, Mandolin
Revealing Frank Solivan and Jeremy Middleton | D’Addario
By: DAddario
December 21, 2017
D’Addario Nickel Bronze presents a moment with members of the 2016 IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year, talking about the Dirty Kitchen name and more.
Joe K. Walsh and John Mailander: “Cold, Cold Heart”
By: Dan Gabel
December 19, 2017
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor plays a Hank Williams classic with bluegrass fiddler and multi-instrumentalist John Mailander on octave mandolin.
Now Live! Theory for Mandolin and Fiddle with Chad Manning
By: Dan Gabel
December 6, 2017
Peghead Nation fiddle instructor’s new theory course covers chords, scales, arpeggios, and more for mandolin, fiddle, and other instruments tuned in fifths.
Collings Guitars OM1 A T | Carl Miner
By: Collings Guitars
November 28, 2017
Guitarist Carl Miner plays an original composition on a Collings OM1 A T (Traditional Series).
Tags: Collings Guitars, Mandolin
Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard: “East Tennessee Blues”
By: Dan Gabel
November 22, 2017
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play the popular old-time tune at our first Mandolin Camp.
Collings Guitars | Julian Lage Signature OM1
By: Collings Guitars
November 7, 2017
Julian Lage introduces his Collings OM1 JL signature model and explains how the development of the T-Series paved the way for its creation.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Mandolin
D’Addario Accessories | Instrument Care Kit
By: DAddario
November 6, 2017
Everything you need to keep your instrument playing, looking, and sounding its best, in one portable, handy kit.
John Reischman, Scott Nygaard, Sharon Gilchrist, Joe K. Walsh: “Lonesome Moonlight Waltz”
By: Dan Gabel
November 3, 2017
The Peghead Nation Mandolin Camp instructor staff plays a beautiful Bill Monroe waltz at our Camp concert.
John Reischman, Scott Nygaard, Sharon Gilchrist, Joe K. Walsh: “Clinch Mountain Backstep”
By: Dan Gabel
October 25, 2017
The Peghead Nation Mandolin Camp instructor staff plays the Ralph Stanley classic at the Camp concert.
Julian Lage & Chris Eldridge: “Broadcast” | Collings Guitars
By: Collings Guitars
October 23, 2017
Two guitar masters perform perform an original tune from their latest album “Mount Royal.”
Tags: Collings Guitars, Mandolin
Monroe Mondays: “Call of the Shepherd”
By: Tristan Scroggins
October 19, 2017
The least popular tune of the batch.
2017 Mandolin Camp Schedule
By: Dan Gabel
October 11, 2017
We have a full schedule of learning, playing, and jamming for your Mandolin Camp experience October 19 - 22.
Tags: Mandolin
Kym Warner | “After The Victory” | Collings MT2 V
By: Collings Guitars
October 5, 2017
Multi-instrumentalist Kym Warner of The Greencards plays his original composition “After The Victory” on his Collings MT2 V mandolin.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Mandolin
Scroggins and Rose: “Eagle’s Nest”
By: Dan Gabel
October 4, 2017
Congratulations to Tristan Scroggins on winning an IBMA 2017 Momentum Award in the Instrumentalist category. Watch Tristan and Alisa Rose play “Eagle’s Nest.”
Joe K. Walsh and John Mailander: “Seneca Square Dance”
By: Dan Gabel
September 26, 2017
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor plays an old-time dance tune with bluegrass fiddler and multi-instrumentalist John Mailander on octave mandolin.
1914 Gibson H-1 Mandola Demo and Mini-Lesson
By: Teja Gerken
September 21, 2017
Peghead Nation Irish Mandolin instructor Marla Fibish demonstrates her vintage mandola and talks about her preferred tuning and some of the techniques and chord voicings she uses.
Your Free Lessons for Mandolin Camp Prep
By: Dan Gabel
September 21, 2017
Due to popular demand, we've released another five seats for a weekend of mandolin instruction with John Reischman, Sharon Gilchrist, and Joe K. Walsh, October 19–22, 2017.
Tags: Mandolin
Derk’s Discoveries: Flying Home
By: Derk Richardson
August 28, 2017
John Reischman and the Jaybirds soar through gospel, old-time, bluegrass, and Beatles songs on their latest recording.
New Course! Theory for Mandolin and Fiddle with Chad Manning
By: Dan Gabel
August 25, 2017
Peghead Nation fiddle instructor launches new theory course in September. Sign up for email updates here!
Tags: Mandolin
Noctambule: “A Sweetish Tune”
By: Dan Gabel
August 22, 2017
Peghead Nation Irish Mandolin instructor Marla Fibish and Bruce Victor play the title track from their recently released Noctambule album.
Mowry F-Model
By: Teja Gerken
August 7, 2017
A vintage-style mandolin built by luthier Andrew Mowry
Tags: Instrument Demo, Mandolin
Monroe Mondays: “Monroe’s Hornpipe”
By: Tristan Scroggins
August 7, 2017
A jam standard on a non-standard instrument.
Joe K. Walsh: “Never More Will Roam”
By: Dan Gabel
July 26, 2017
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor plays his original song, inspired by a late-19th century Arctic explorer. With Brittany Haas on fiddle.
Monroe Mondays: “My Father’s Footsteps”
By: Tristan Scroggins
July 17, 2017
Paternalistic Picking from the Father of Bluegrass
Announcing the 2017 Peghead Nation Mandolin Camp
By: Dan Gabel
July 16, 2017
Join us in Yosemite for a weekend of mandolin instruction with John Reischman, Sharon Gilchrist, and Joe K. Walsh, October 19 – 22, 2017. Sign up for email updates!
Tags: Mandolin
Soggy Bottom Boys: “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow”
By: Dan Gabel
July 12, 2017
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor Mike Compton plays this iconic song with the original band that gave “O Brother, Where Art Thou” its authentic sound.
1922 Gibson A Mandolin
By: Dan Gabel
July 6, 2017
Marla Fibish demonstrates the family heirloom that has become central to her musical voice.
Tags: Irish Music, Mandolin
Monroe Mondays: “The Tanyards”
By: Tristan Scroggins
July 3, 2017
A twisting tale of a Bill Monroe original he never personally recorded.
Monroe Mondays: “Blue Goose”
By: Tristan Scroggins
June 19, 2017
An unusual fiddle tune from the bluegrass master.
Matt Flinner Trio with Mike Compton, Scott Nygaard, and Sharon Gilchrist: “Trouble in Mind”
By: Dan Gabel
June 15, 2017
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play a blues standard with Matt Flinner’s talented trio.
Derk’s Discoveries: The Duo 2.0
By: Derk Richardson
June 12, 2017
Scroggins & Rose bring New Acoustic Music full circle and then take it beyond
Ellis Mandolins
By: Ellis Mandolins
May 31, 2017
Ellis Mandolins are built by Tom Ellis and small team of craftspeople, who create beautiful, wonderful sounding works of art that are enjoyed and played by musicians around the world.
Tags: Ellis Mandolins, Mandolin
Scroggins and Rose: “Grana”
By: Dan Gabel
May 19, 2017
Tristan Scroggins and Alisa Rose play "Grana," the title song from their new album of violin and mandolin duets exploring bluegrass and classical improvisation.
Northfield Archtop Octave Mandolins
May 3, 2017
Northfield’s Adrian Beagle tells the story of the company’s unique octave mandolin model. Demonstrated by Mike Marshall and Emory Lester.
Bill Evans, John Reischman, and Kenny Smith: “Petersburg Gal”
By: Dan Gabel
April 21, 2017
Peghead Nation banjo and mandolin instructors play Bill Evans’ original tune with flatpicking guru Kenny Smith, bassist Max Schwartz, and fiddler Nate Lee at the Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse.
Clark GOM175 Octave Mandolin
By: Teja Gerken
April 20, 2017
John Mailander demonstrates his archtop guitar–inspired octave mandolin.
Tags: Instrument Demo, Mandolin
John Reischman and Kenny Smith: “A Prairie Jewel”
By: Dan Gabel
April 12, 2017
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor plays an original tune from the album “Walk Along John” with flatpicking guru Kenny Smith, fiddler Nate Lee, and bass player Max Schwartz.
Watch Marla Fibish’s Facebook Live Video
By: Dan Gabel
March 20, 2017
Irish Mandolin instructor Marla Fibish recently played tunes and fielded questions from her students during a Facebook Live event. Here's a replay of that 30 minute event.
Tags: Irish Music, Mandolin
Gilchrist F-Style Mandolin
By: Teja Gerken
March 17, 2017
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor Sharon Gilchrist demonstrates her primary instrument
John Reischman and Scott Nygaard: “Little Liza Jane”
By: Dan Gabel
March 2, 2017
Peghead Nation instructors play a mandolin and guitar version of the old-time favorite.
Melodic Mandolin Tunes with John Reischman Is Now Live!
By: Dan Gabel
February 20, 2017
Learn to play traditional and original tunes in a variety of styles from a modern mandolin master.
Elderly | Deering Maple Blossom
February 17, 2017
A demo of one of Deering's most popular banjos, with a radiused fingerboard, violin-grade 3-ply maple rim, and a bronze tone ring.
Dale Russ and Marla Fibish: “Lafferty’s/The Lady on the Island”
By: Scott Nygaard
February 2, 2017
Peghead Nation’s Irish fiddle and mandolin teachers play a medley of Irish reels.
California Banjo Extravaganza: “The Train That Carried My Girl from Town”
By: Dan Gabel
January 12, 2017
Bill Evans, Joe Newberry, and Danny Barnes play a three-banjo version of the popular bluegrass song.
Elderly | National M1 Tricone Resonator Guitar
January 7, 2017
Mark Lavengood of Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys demonstrates a National wooden-body tricone from National Guitars.
California Banjo Extravaganza: “Train 45 / Reuben’s Train”
By: Dan Gabel
December 23, 2016
A performance from Bill Evans, Joe Newberry, and Danny Barnes, with an all-star band of Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally.
Brittany Haas on “A Prairie Home Companion”: “Fiddle Tune Medley”
By: Dan Gabel
December 13, 2016
Peghead Nation fiddle instructor plays in the new house band for the popular radio show, now hosted by mandolin master Chris Thile.
Joe K. Walsh and Grant Gordy: “Lulu’s Back in Town”
By: Dan Gabel
November 30, 2016
Mandolin/guitar duo play a tune popularized by Fats Waller in the 1930's.
