Here are a few good places to start with blues and rock mandolin. Work on a blues pattern, explore a rock arrangement, or pick up a tune for your next jam.
The video lessons linked below are free to watch on YouTube through their lesson pages. Tablature is available separately on my Patreon site. Some arrangements are available to free members; others require a paid membership. Check each post for access details.
Blues fundamentals
Pentatonic shapes: Blues Lick #4
Explore a closed A minor pentatonic box shape in 6/8 time, then hear the lick in context.
Free video · Tablature on Patreon
Turnarounds and double stops: Blues Lick #5
Work on a turnaround in E, breaking double stops into moving lines rather than playing both notes together.
Free video · Tablature on Patreon
Backing up a 12-bar blues: Blues Lick #6
Keep a steady bass pulse while moving between major and dominant seventh chords, using an approach borrowed from fingerpicking guitar.
Free video · Tablature on Patreon
Rock arrangements
Cream: “Outside Woman Blues”
Watch my mandolin and mandocello version of this Cream blues cover, and use the tablature to work through the arrangement.
Free performance video · Tablature for Patreon members
Steely Dan: “Reeling in the Years”
The transcription covers the opening solo, verse and chorus rhythm, and bridge riffs with harmony.
Tablature resource · Available to free and paid Patreon members
Follow a lesson series
Start with Mandolin Blues Lick of the Day #1
This series brings guitar-inspired blues ideas to the mandolin. The first lesson works through a vamp with hammer-ons and double stops. Follow the video for the groove and timing, then explore lessons #4–6 above.
Free video · Series tablature on Patreon
Add to your repertoire
East Tennessee Blues
Explore a traditional jam tune and an arrangement that varies the opening C-to-F phrase.
Tablature resource · The lesson post links to tab available to everyone on Patreon