Advanced Mandolin -Waitlist
Building a Bluegrass Solo (Level 3/4)
Learn how to play like the pros! Designed for intermediate to advanced students with at least two years of playing experience. In this class, we’ll examine how to solo over bluegrass songs (songs with words!). We will build a solo for a jam standard using different playing and listening techniques. Some of the possible topics to be covered in class include song kick-offs and endings, learning by ear, double stops, tremolo, hammer-ons and pull-offs, making melody more musical, and expanding knowledge of theory and the mandolin fingerboard. Tab may be provided but will be taught by ear first. It is not necessary to read tab to do well in class but we will be relying on our ears a lot!
Tristan Scroggins
The son of a National Banjo Champion, Tristan Scroggins’ legacy is formed by musical traditions. Tristan has toured extensively both domestically and internationally and has performed at both the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium.
In 2021 he was nominated for a GRAMMY Award for his participation in the John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Vol. 1. That same year Tristan was nominated by the International Bluegrass Music Association for their Mandolin Player of the Year award and was awarded Writer of the Year for his contribution to print media.
With over a decade of experience as a teacher and workshop instructor, Tristan has gained a reputation for his ability to explain concepts, ample resources, and relaxed, encouraging presence. Tristan has developed a curriculum that emphasizes inspiration and practice techniques that allow students to overcome their personal musical hurdles.
