Uncle Pen, Part 1: Original Solo

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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UNCLE PEN

Uncle Pen, Part 1: Original Solo

Uncle Pen, Part 2: Original Solo Play-Along Track

Uncle Pen, Part 3: 1970s Solo

Uncle Pen, Part 4: 1970s Solo Play-Along Track

Uncle Pen, Part 1: Original Solo

Bill Monroe’s homage to his fiddle-playing Uncle Pendleton Vandiver, “Uncle Pen,” is one of his most popular songs. In this lesson, you’ll learn two half solos, the original solo from the 1950s recording and another solo from the 1970s. They illustrate how Monroe’s style changed over the course of a couple of decades. The solo starts after another instrument, fiddle or banjo usually, has played the first half of the solo. Monroe only plays the second half.

"Uncle Pen" Solos (Available to subscribers)

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Uncle Pen, Part 2: Original Solo Play-Along Track →

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