A clean melody is so important when you’re playing an instrument.   It’s even more important when you are playing the mandolin.  That is the focus of this holiday message and mandolin lesson using the classic Christmas song “Jingle Bells.”

This video, from Mandolin expert and multi-instrumentalist Mike Marshall from The ArtistWorks Mandolin School, shows a different version of the song for students at every level of experience.

The mandolin lesson begins with a holiday greeting from Mike but quickly continues to a version of the traditional Christmas classic.  The arrangement is lighthearted but highlights the melody, along with eighth notes, triplets and chords with passing tones.

After playing through the complicated arrangement, Mike goes through a version for beginners, focusing on the melody with very few passing tones.  He talks through the notes as he plays so a novice will have no problem following along.

Next, Mike does an arrangement for slightly more advanced intermediate mandolin players.  The example has a strummed; almost ukulele like feel, but still features the unmistakable melody.  He comments all through the arrangement with chord names and includes many finger positions.

Mike follows with an arrangement particularly for bluegrass players or those who play in a bluegrass band.  This mandolin lesson highlights the mandolin as a background and percussion instrument while he supplies the vocals.

Continuing, Mike does a swing version that he plays through before beginning to break it down.  He once again uses chord names and finger positions in the description.  Even with this more complicated version he manages to keep the melody featured.

Finally, Mike does what he describes as a “call and response” version.  He breaks it down and then plays a version that incorporates a little bit of all the previous versions.  At the end he wishes everyone all the best while talking a little about some of the video responses he has received from musicians who have used his lessons.

The video responses are just one of the elements making the Video Exchange format so unique and successful.  Students tape themselves learning, send it to the instructor and get personal feedback from great teachers like Mike Marshall.  His online mandolin lessons are available for players of every level.  Visit www.mikemarshallmandolin.com for more free mandolin lessons you can try.

Related Blogs on Mandolin Lessons:

• Mandolin Chords Every Beginner Player Needs to Know
• Mandolin Lessons: Tremolos
• Mandolin Lesson: Speed Exercises
• Mandolin Tuning with Mike Marshall