Category: Mandolin

  • Mandolin Lessons

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    Michael has been performing and studying music since he was eight years old. As a youth he started with voice and trumpet playing in various bands and choirs during his school years. In his early twenties he picked up the acoustic guitar and began to write songs and study music theory. For the past fifteen…

  • Twelve Bar Blues

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    Each genre of music has certain characteristics that distinguish it from other musical styles. These familiar attributes can be found in the rhythms, chords, and notes. Blues music is based on a common song form with three basic chords. This form is commonly called the twelve bar blues because it contains 12 measures. Typically contains…

  • Common Blues Rhythms

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    After learning the common cowboy chords and strumming patterns many guitar players are unsure how to develop their rhythmic approach to get variety in their sound. Studying the common blues rhythms can add interest and style to your playing no matter what kind of music you play. In this lesson guitarist and composer Michael George…

  • Essential Mandolin Chords

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    Chords in Music Chords in music are like words in a spoken language. When you assemble the ‘right’ combination you make meaningful phrases that have direction. Self-taught students often make the mistake of trying to memorize many chords to grow their chord vocabulary. This approach may work in time, but a better way is to…

  • Music Lesson Forum

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    I’m excited to announce the new Music Lessons Forum hosted on my website. Register for Free to join the conversation. Post your own topic ideas or questions and Michael will reply with unique insights and ideas to help you learn. It’s in the beginning stages but in the future will have posts geared to musicians…

    gonzo music lessons
  • Telecaster Mandolin

    I really want to get a Telecaster Mandolin made by J.L. Smith Mandolins. The five string model really intrigues me. The single strings would lend themself to bending and other ‘guitaristic’ sounds…but with the tonal range of the mandolin. If you’re interested in learning to play the mandolin, read below to find out about private…

  • Instrument Techniques

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    Instrument Disciplines Michael’s experience as a performer and training as a composer give him specialized knowledge and insights into many instruments. In addition he is a voracious reader/collector of music text books past and present. As a result Michael has developed unique insights and approaches to various instrument techniques. Lead Guitar C-A-G-E-D System Chord/Scale Grips…

    gonzo music lessons