Quick mandolin practice exercises

Choose a focused exercise and start playing immediately, or begin with Foundations and work through the course at your own pace. Every lesson includes playable mandolin TAB, playback, a metronome, fretboard guidance, and a clear explanation.

15 lessonsBeginner to expertAll lessons includedFree · no sign-up required
01
Beginner

Foundations

Relax the hands, find a steady pulse, and learn the first useful shapes.

5 lessons
  1. 01Open-string picking pulseStart hereBuild an even down-up motion while hearing each mandolin course clearly.5 min
  2. 02Four-finger chromatic warm-upCoordinate fingers 1–4 without squeezing or lifting them far from the fretboard.7 min
  3. 03Major scaleLearn natural, harmonic, and melodic major in every natural, sharp, and flat key.8 min
  4. 04Minor scaleLearn natural, harmonic, and melodic minor in every natural, sharp, and flat key.8 min
  5. 05Open Chord ChangesMove between the three essential major chords in your selected key without losing the beat.10 min
02
Intermediate

Build control

Strengthen string changes, tremolo, and melodic vocabulary.

7 lessons
  1. 01Diatonic modesCompare all seven modes from the same root and hear the one color note that changes their character.12 min
  2. 02Pentatonic scaleBuild clean, phrase-friendly major and minor pentatonic shapes in every key.10 min
  3. 03Blues scaleAdd the flat-fifth blue note to minor pentatonic and build the standard mandolin blues sound in every key.10 min
  4. 04ArpeggiosOutline major, minor, and diminished harmony one chord tone at a time.10 min
  5. 05String-crossing gridCross non-adjacent courses while the alternate-picking motion stays uninterrupted.8 min
  6. 06Tremolo control ladderDevelop a sustained tremolo that remains even as you move across the instrument.10 min
  7. 07First bluegrass G lickTurn the G major scale into a compact phrase that resolves cleanly.10 min