New Muleskinner Blues

from: Monroe-Style Mandolin with Mike Compton

This lesson is part of the course Monroe-Style Mandolin with Mike Compton.

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Learn traditional bluegrass-style mandolin as exemplified by the father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe, with original transcribed solos and tips on reproducing Monroe’s sound, rhythm, and feel.

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TENNESSEE BLUES

Learn the “fancy high part” (all the way up the 15th fret) of “Tennessee Blues” in this video. Mike takes it apart phrase by phrase, showing you the best way to finger the high notes. You’ll also learn the shorter A section, which features sliding double stops up the neck, and some variations on the regular A section. (For full transcription, see Part 1.)

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NEW MULESKINNER BLUES

New Muleskinner Blues

“New Muleskinner Blues” Play-Along Track

New Muleskinner Blues

Bill Monroe recorded Jimmie Rodgers’ song “Muleskinner Blues” on his first recording session in 1940, and recorded a version with new lyrics in 1950, calling it “New Muleskinner Blues.” You’ll learn his intro and solo from the 1950 recording in this lesson. It’s primarily played with downstrokes, and the intro starts with a rhythmic phrase (16th/8th/16th) that is repeated throughout the solo. Mike starts by showing you the intro, phrase by phrase, making sure you understand the rhythm of the phrasing and then proceeds into the whole solo, which includes a couple of extra bars of 2/4 added to the blues form. Mike also suggests that you play this solo with your pick close to the bridge to get more “bite.”

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