Preparatory Information
Lesson 1: The Key of A Major
A ‘tude
Cripple Creek
Lesson 2: The Key of D Major, Low Second Finger
Soldier’s Joy
The Sloop John B
New York Girls (Can’t You Dance the Polka?)
Lesson 3: The Key of G Major – Dominant 7th Chord, Secondary (Minor) Chords
Westphalia Waltz (Pytala Sie Pani)
Nail That Catfish to the Tree
The Water Is Wide
A Few Words About Fiddle Tunes
Lesson 4: The Key of C Major, Low First Finger, Fourth Finger
Orchestral Notation
The Star-Spangled Banner
Billy in the Lowground
Lesson 5: Lower Octave of A Major Scale, High Third Finger, Full First Position D Major Scale
Rondo We Go
Miller’s Reel
Whiskey Before Breakfast
Lesson 6: Tablature and Movable Scales
Lesson 7: Movable Chords
When the Saints Go Marching In
Lesson 8: The Basics of Bluegrass
Rollin’ in My Sweet Baby’s Arms
Return to Cripple Creek
The Bluegrass Lick
Dark Hollow
Lesson 9: Minor Scales – A Minor, E Minor
House of the Rising Sun
Hava Nagila
Motherless Child
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Lesson 10: Keys of F Major and D Minor
Come All Ye Fair and Tender Maidens
Four-Course Rag
Henry Martin
Waltz in D Minor (Carcassi)
Lesson 11: Modes
Cuckold Come Out of the Armory
Shady Grove
June Apple
Little Maggie
Lesson 12: The Key of E Major, the Basics of the Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Chord Rhythm Etude in E Major
Blues Ain’t Nothin’
Rock ‘n’ Roll Rhythm Etude
Boogie in E
Lesson 13: Jigs
Little Burnt Potato
The Irish Washerwoman
Other Related Instruments
Lesson 14: The Basics of Swing
(Back Home Again in) Indiana
Lesson 15: Tools for Jamming, Improvising and Composition/Songwriting
Circle of Fifths
Pentatonic Scales
Blues Scales
Bonus Music Section
Bill Cheatham
The Nine Points of Roguery
The Great Silkie of Sule Skerrie
The Eighth of January
Saint James Infirmary
Temperance (Teetotaler’s) Reel
Bourée (E Major) J. S. Bach
Saint John’s River
Russian Sailor’s Polka
Lonesome Road Blues
Wayfarin’ Stranger
Rose Room
Glossary of Musical Terms
Chord Reference
About the Author