New Lessons for February 2023
By: Dan Gabel
February 2, 2023
Great new tunes, techniques, and lessons from Peghead Nation instructors.
The Brazilian Mandolin
By: Teja Gerken
January 5, 2023
Peghead Nation’s Brazilian Choro Mandolin instructor Ian Coury demonstrates eight-string and ten-string mandolins and discusses their roles in Brazilian music.
California Bluegrass Reunion: “Petersburg Gal”
By: Dan Gabel
December 21, 2022
A powerhouse band packed with Peghead Nation instructors plays an original tune from Bill Evans.
Mike Compton and Joe Newberry: “Death and Blues”
By: Dan Gabel
December 14, 2022
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor plays an original song with his duo partner, at the Great Lakes Music Camp concert.
New Lessons, Tunes, and Techniques for December 2022
By: Dan Gabel
December 13, 2022
Great new lessons from the talented Peghead Nation instructors. Join us!
Bourgeois Aged Tone M5A
By: Teja Gerken
December 7, 2022
Bourgeois introduces its first mandolin in collaboration with Eastman Music.
Sam Bush: “In Tall Buildings”
By: Dan Gabel
November 18, 2022
Peghead Nation's Contemporary Bluegrass Banjo instructor Wes Corbett joins Sam Bush on a classic John Hartford song.
New Lessons for November 2022
By: Dan Gabel
November 10, 2022
New tunes, techniques, and exercises from Peghead Nation instructors!
Ian Coury e Estação do Choro: “Gostosinho” (Jacob do Bandolim)
By: Dan Gabel
October 17, 2022
Peghead Nation Choro Mandolin instructor plays a Jacob do Bandolim tune with a virtuosic Brazilian band.
Tags: Brazilian Music, Mandolin
New Lessons, Tunes, and Techniques for October 2022
By: Dan Gabel
October 5, 2022
Check out hours of new lesson material in select courses on Peghead Nation.
Aged Tone M5A Mandolin | Bourgeois Guitars
October 3, 2022
Bourgeois introduces an A-Style mandolin.
Peghead Nation Receives a 2022 IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award
By: Dan Gabel
September 26, 2022
We’re honored to be recognized by bluegrass music’s leading industry organization and our community!
Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard: “Dawg’s Waltz”
By: Dan Gabel
September 10, 2022
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play a David Grisman and Jerry Garcia tune.
New Lessons Released for September 2022!
By: Dan Gabel
September 9, 2022
Explore new lessons, tunes, and techniques from Peghead Nation’s expert instructors.
John Reischman, “Little Pine Siskin” | Northfield Mandolins
August 24, 2022
Peghead Nation instructor John Reischman plays an original tune at the 2019 Marshall Mandolin Summit.
Ellis A-5 Special | Ellis Mandolins
By: Ellis Mandolins
August 24, 2022
A great A-style mandolin presented by Elderly Instruments.
Register for Creative Jam Skills with Lauren Rioux and Brittany Haas | Six-Session Live Zoom Workshop
By: Dan Gabel
August 11, 2022
Up your game as a melody player, backup player, and improviser, exploring new tunes, embellishment ideas, accompaniment techniques and more!
Jake Howard and Grant Flick: “Morning Breaks” | Northfield Mandolins
July 22, 2022
An instrumental duet played on a pair of Northfield Archtop and Flattop Octave Mandolins.
Pedro Santos Ten-String Bandolim
By: Teja Gerken
July 13, 2022
Peghead Nation’s Brazilian Choro Mandolin instructor Ian Coury demonstrates his main instrument and talks about the history of the mandolin in Brazilian music.
John Reischman and Scott Nygaard: “The Blackest Crow”
By: Dan Gabel
July 10, 2022
Mandolin master plays a Civil War-era tune that he also teaches in his Old-Time Mandolin course.
Hours of New Lessons Released for July 2022!
By: Dan Gabel
July 10, 2022
Explore new lessons, tunes, and techniques from Peghead Nation’s expert instructors.
Ian Coury and Joe K. Walsh: “Receita de Samba” | Brazilian Choro Mandolin
By: Dan Gabel
July 1, 2022
Our Brazilian Choro Mandolin instructor plays a joyful duo version of a Jacob do Bandolim choro with his fellow Peghead Nation mandolin teacher.
2004 Gilchrist Model 4
By: Teja Gerken
June 22, 2022
Mike Compton demonstrates his oval-soundhole, F-4-style Gilchrist.
Joe K. Walsh and Bruce Molsky: “Walk Along John to Kansas”
By: Dan Gabel
June 10, 2022
Exclusive Peghead Nation video of our mandolin and fiddle instructors playing a great old-time tune at Wintergrass 2022.
Octave Mandolin Woods | Northfield Mandolins
June 9, 2022
Northfield's Derek Smith demonstrates three flattop octave mandolins with different wood combinations.
Mr Sun: “Blackbird” | Peghead Nation Exclusive
By: Dan Gabel
May 15, 2022
The virtuosic four-piece showcases their playful arrangement of a Beatles classic, which they also recorded on their new album “Extrovert.”
New Lessons Released for May 2022
By: Dan Gabel
May 2, 2022
New tunes, techniques, and exercises just released in Peghead Nation courses.
Ian Coury: “Benzinho” | Brazilian Choro Mandolin
By: Dan Gabel
May 1, 2022
Peghead Nation’s new Brazilian Choro Mandolin instructor plays a traditional two-part choro written by the great choro mandolinist Jacob do Bandolim.
Joe K. Walsh and Bruce Molsky: “Solly’s Little Favorite”
By: Dan Gabel
April 26, 2022
Watch an exclusive Peghead Nation video of our mandolin and fiddle instructors playing a great old-time tune at Wintergrass 2022.
New Lessons Released for April 2022
By: Dan Gabel
April 9, 2022
New tunes, techniques, and exercises just released in Peghead Nation courses.
Join Matt Munisteri and Aaron Weinstein at Red Hot Strings Workshop | May 25 – 29
By: Dan Gabel
April 8, 2022
Learn hot jazz, Western swing, and more with our jazz guitar and mandolin instructors in this wide-ranging workshop.
Learning by Ear with Lissa Schneckenburger Now Available!
By: Dan Gabel
April 1, 2022
Learn to pick up tunes on the fly and increase your ability to interact with your fellow musicians with fun ear-training exercises and practice, applicable to all instruments.
1923 Gibson F-5 Mandolin
By: Teja Gerken
March 15, 2022
John Reischman demonstrates a Lloyd Loar-signed F-5 that’s in nearly mint condition.
Mr Sun: ”Farewell Trion”
By: Dan Gabel
March 11, 2022
The virtuosic string band plays an old-time favorite during the Wintergrass Festival.
New Lessons Released for March 2022
By: Dan Gabel
March 11, 2022
Hours of new tunes, techniques, and exercises just released in Peghead Nation courses.
Gilchrist/Northfield Tailpiece | Northfield Mandolins
March 3, 2022
Northfield's Kjell Croce demonstrates the installation of the new Gilchrist-designed mandolin tailpiece.
Tags: Mandolin, Northfield
Scroggins and Rose: “St. Anne’s Reel Improvisation”
By: Dan Gabel
February 17, 2022
Alisa Rose and Tristan Scroggins explore the possibilities of a bluegrass and Irish music favorite.
New Lessons Added for February 2022
By: Dan Gabel
February 2, 2022
Hours of new tunes, techniques, and exercises just released in Peghead Nation courses.
Now Available for Subscribers | Swing Mandolin: Rhythm and Chord Solos
By: Dan Gabel
February 1, 2022
Learn to play swing rhythm mandolin and how to create rhythmic chord solos, using eight classic jazz and swing tunes.
Aaron Weinstein: “Pennies From Heaven”
By: Dan Gabel
January 26, 2022
Our Chord Melody Mandolin instructor plays the jazz standard introduced by Bing Crosby in 1936.
2009 Gilchrist Model 1
By: Teja Gerken
January 5, 2022
John Reischman demonstrates his round soundhole Gilchrist.
Matt Munisteri and Joe K. Walsh: “Kentucky Waltz”
By: Dan Gabel
January 4, 2022
Peghead Nation instructors play a jazz-infused duo version of a classic Bill Monroe waltz.
Old-Time Mandolin with John Reischman is Now Available!
By: Dan Gabel
January 4, 2022
Learn to play old-time fiddle tunes and song melodies, with advice on picking technique and playing old-time rhythm on the mandolin.
Tags: Mandolin, Old-Time Music
Artist Series “4th Generation” F5 | Northfield Mandolins
January 3, 2022
Dan Bui demonstrates a Lloyd Loar-style F5 from Northfield Mandolins at the Music Emporium.
Tags: Mandolin, Northfield
California Bluegrass Reunion: “Suzanne’s Journey”
By: Dan Gabel
December 17, 2021
All-star band of Peghead Nation instructors Bill Evans, Chad Manning, Sharon Gilchrist, and John Reischman, along with Darol Anger and Jim Nunally, play one of John’s new original tunes.
Hours of New Lessons for December 2021
By: Dan Gabel
December 1, 2021
Watch video examples from some of the latest lessons from Peghead Nation’s Instructrors!
Northfield Calhoun
By: Teja Gerken
November 21, 2021
A great-sounding US-made flattop mandolin at an affordable price.
Ellis F-5 Special | Ellis Mandolins
By: Ellis Mandolins
November 20, 2021
Tristan Scroggins plays a beautiful F-style mandolin at Carter Vintage Guitars.
California Bluegrass Reunion: “Roll On Buddy, Roll On”
By: Dan Gabel
November 18, 2021
Powerhouse band of Peghead Nation instructors Bill Evans, Chad Manning, Sharon Gilchrist, and John Reischman, along with Darol Anger and Jim Nunally, play a bluegrass classic.
Collings MT2-V | Collings Guitars
By: Collings Guitars
November 15, 2021
Ethan Setiawan demonstrates a great A-Style mandolin at the Music Emporium.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Mandolin
Noctambule: “Murmuration”
By: Dan Gabel
November 5, 2021
Peghead Nation’s Irish Mandolin instructor and her duo partner play an original tune from their recently released album.
New Lessons Added for November 2021
By: Dan Gabel
November 5, 2021
Take a look at new the new lessons just released in Peghead Nation courses!
Mike Compton and Joe Newberry: “Singing As We Rise”
By: Dan Gabel
October 30, 2021
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.
Aaron Weinstein: “The Folks Who Live On the Hill”
By: Dan Gabel
October 19, 2021
Peghead Nation's Chord Melody Mandolin instructor plays a beautiful version of the jazz standard written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein.
Now Available for Subscription! Improvising for Mandolin and Fiddle with Joe K. Walsh
By: Dan Gabel
October 1, 2021
Learn to improvise on fiddle tunes, create new melodies over chord changes, and more!
Sierra Ferrell: “I’d Do It Again” | Thompson Guitars
September 29, 2021
The talented singer-songwriter plays an original song live in the Thompson Guitars shop.
John Reischman: ”Horses of Dorrigo”
By: Dan Gabel
September 27, 2021
Peghead Nation Melodic Mandolin Tunes instructor plays a new tune off of his latest album, “New Time and Old Acoustic.”
John Doyle, Marla Fibish, and Mick McAuley: “Loftus Jones/A Fair Wind/The Collier’s Reel/Dan Breen’s”
By: Teja Gerken
September 19, 2021
Peghead Nation Irish Mandolin instructor joins former Solas members John Doyle and Mick McAuley for an impromptu set of tunes.
Ellis F-5 Special | Ellis Mandolins
By: Ellis Mandolins
September 16, 2021
Jake Workman plays a F-style Ellis mandolin at Carter Vintage Guitars.
Tags: Ellis Mandolins, Mandolin
Brittany Haas with Joe K. Walsh, Darol Anger, Missy Raines, Grant Gordy, and Ethan Setiawan: “Dry and Dusty”
By: Dan Gabel
September 15, 2021
Brittany Haas and an all-star band play a beautiful version of the popular Texas fiddle tune, live at the Great Lakes Music Camp 2019.
Sharon Gilchrist’s “Mandos, Cars and Coffee” | Episode #1 With Joe K. Walsh
By: Dan Gabel
September 14, 2021
Peghead Nation mandolin instructor announces the launch of a new mandolin-centric video podcast series.
Tags: Mandolin
John Reischman and Scott Nygaard: “Sarafina”
By: Dan Gabel
August 6, 2021
Mandolin master plays a new original tune that he recorded for his new album "New Time and Old Acoustic."
Hours of New Lessons and Tunes for August 2021
By: Dan Gabel
August 6, 2021
Take a look at new the new lessons just released in Peghead Nation courses!
John Reischman and the Slocan Ramblers: “Stoney Creek”
By: Dan Gabel
July 21, 2021
Our Melodic Mandolin Tunes instructor plays a bluegrass classic with the 2020 IBMA Momentum Band Award winners.
Win a Spot at Great Lakes Music Camp 2021
By: Dan Gabel
July 16, 2021
Enter to win a Weekend Camper package at this inspiring camp, with instructors including Peghead Nation’s Joe K. Walsh, Evie Ladin, Bill Evans, Bruce Molsky, Mike Compton, and Zoe Guigueno.
Joe K. Walsh, Jake Howard, Ethan Setiawan, Grant Gordy, and Darol Anger: “E.M.D.”
By: Dan Gabel
July 16, 2021
A smoking triple-mandolin version of David Grisman’s tune “E.M.D.,” recorded at the Great Lakes Music Camp 2019.
Sharon Gilchrist: “Soldier’s Joy”
By: Dan Gabel
July 2, 2021
Peghead Nation’s Melodic Embellishment instructor demonstrates some of the improvisation techniques she teaches in this new mandolin course, now available for subscription.
Tags: Mandolin
New Lessons Released for July 2021
By: Dan Gabel
July 1, 2021
Hours of new tunes and techniques to learn in Peghead Nation courses!
Melodic Embellishment: A Doorway to Improvisation is Now Available for Subscription
By: Dan Gabel
June 30, 2021
Sharon Gilchrist teaches her systematic method of how to begin to improvise and vary melodies. Subscribe now!
Tags: Mandolin
Shubb Capos | Roger Tallroth and Mike Marshall | “Forslund”
By: Shubb Capos
June 24, 2021
A pretty polska played on mandolin and octave mandolin by Väsen guitarist Roger Tallroth and Mike Marshall.
Mike Compton and Scott Nygaard: “Tall Timber”
By: Dan Gabel
June 23, 2021
Peghead Nation’s Monroe-Style Mandolin instructor plays a smoking version of a Bill Monroe classic with our co-founder.
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
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 a Bill Withers 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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Tags: Guitar,