Rocky Road 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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ROCKY ROAD BLUES

Rocky Road Blues

“Rocky Road Blues” Play-Along Track

Rocky Road Blues

Bill Monroe’s “Rocky Road Blues” has more of a western swing feel than the typical bluegrass offbeat chop feel. Mike plays “Rocky Road Blues” through a few times and then explains the swing feel you should keep in mind as you’re learning it. “Rocky Road Blues” is played with all downstrokes. There are no upstrokes at all. Mike talks about the importance of staying relaxed and not traveling too far with each pick stroke, because otherwise it will be difficult to get back to the next downstroke. There are also lots of slurs and hammers in “Rocky Road Blues.” Mike takes the solo apart slowly, phrase by phrase, and gives you a chance to play each phrase along with him, finishing by playing the whole solo through at a slow tempo.

"Rocky Road Blues" (Available to subscribers)

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