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Mandolin tablatures for Big Sandy River

Bill Monroe

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #reel, #fiddle tune, #a major, #kenny baker, #bill monroe, #shuffle, #bluegrass

This fiddle tune is often played at jam sessions. It's very popular, thanks to its easy-going and memorable melody. Once you learn the main version, check out the licks to make it sound more bluesy or chromatic. This may spice up your solo! It will definitely be appreciated after hearing other solos that stick primarily to the melody. Also, try to find a way to play the B part an octave lower to make it a little different. Be careful about the right-hand direction. It is important to keep the down-up going on especially in bars 5 and 6 when left-hand techniques are involved.

  • Mandolin Big Sandy River Bluegrass

    Bluegrass

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      A
    • Tempo
      115 bpm
    • Tuning
      GDAE

    A classic Bill Monroe instrumental with a great chromatic run as a main theme.

    Mandolin Big Sandy River Bluegrass
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Practicing Tips

Made for intermediate players, the 'Big Sandy River' set of learning resources includes bluegrass mandolin tablature in Bluegrass Style. The important keywords in this resource are reel, fiddle tune, A major, kenny baker, bill monroe, shuffle, bluegrass. This selection introduces a rich vocabulary of licks, variations, and techniques.


The Tunefox platform features are useful in mastering the music piece. The Lick Switcher feature lets you interchange the licks for each measure, granting you an in-depth interpretation of the song. Use this feature to add a new lick vocabulary and customize the entire arrangement. Everything is under your control! Just tap a measure to unveil the hidden licks.


The Arrange slider is another useful feature. It allows you to adjust the difficulty of the song by removing or adding “fill-in” notes. Want it simple? Just slide it to the left for a pared-down, core arrangement. Ready to ramp up the challenge? Slide right to add extra notes and reveal the full song. Additionally, use the tempo slider to manipulate the pace of the tune.


When learning 'Big Sandy River', you could also play along with backing tracks for a fun, challenging practice. Focus on certain measures, repeat them, and gradually increase the tempo using the 'Speed Up' function. It's a fantastic feature that allows you to start with a comfortable pace, then gradually increase the tempo after each playthrough.


In general, good practice habits include diligent repetitions, adjustments in tempo, and exploration of variations in licks. Remember, consistency, enjoyment, and exploration are keys to successful learning.