Free Introductory Lesson
Mandolin Lessons in Colorado Springs
The mandolin is small, bright, and a lot of fun to play. It drives the rhythm of a bluegrass band with its signature “chop,” sings sweet melodies in folk and Celtic music, and shows up on rock and pop records too. At Rocky Mountain Academy of Music, we offer private mandolin lessons for students of all ages and skill levels at our studio on North Academy Blvd. Your first lesson is free, so you can meet your teacher and see how lessons work before you commit.
Who Mandolin Lessons Are For
- Complete beginners. The mandolin is compact and approachable, and most students play simple tunes within a few weeks.
- Guitar players adding mandolin for bluegrass, folk, or worship music
- Violinists and fiddlers. The mandolin is tuned just like a violin, so everything you know about the fingerboard carries over.
- Bluegrass, folk, and Celtic fans who want to play the music they love and join a jam
- Kids and teens. Its small size is a good fit for younger hands.
- Adults starting fresh, or finally picking up the mandolin that’s been on their wish list
What You’ll Learn
Lessons are built around your goals and the music you love, whether that’s bluegrass, folk, Celtic, old-time, rock, or classical. Most students work on:
- Picking technique. Clean alternate picking, tremolo, and cross-picking give you speed and a clear, ringing tone.
- Chords and rhythm, including the bluegrass “chop” that keeps a band locked in
- Melody and scales up and down the neck
- Learning tunes by ear, the way fiddle tunes have been passed down for generations
- Reading tab and standard notation
- Breaks and improvisation, so you can take a solo when it’s your turn
- Jamming skills. You’ll learn common jam tunes, how to follow chord changes, and how to play backup behind other players.
Weekly lessons keep you progressing steadily, and a teacher can catch picking and fretting habits early, before they become hard to unlearn.
“He was not only really great with breaking down tricky concepts … but also providing advice on optimal approaches to learning and practicing in general. Excellent teacher!”
A-Style and F-Style Mandolins
Mandolins come in two main shapes. The A-style has a simple teardrop body and is a great, affordable choice for beginners. The F-style has the fancy scroll and points you see in most bluegrass bands. It was made famous by Gibson’s F-5 models in the 1920s. Both play the same way, so start with whichever fits your budget and style. Mandolins have eight strings in four pairs, tuned G, D, A, and E like a violin, which gives them their shimmering, chorus-like sound.
A Little Mandolin History
The mandolin grew out of the lute family in Italy. By the 1700s, the round-backed Neapolitan mandolin was popular across Europe, and Vivaldi and Beethoven both wrote music for it. In the late 1800s, Orville Gibson in Michigan began carving mandolins with arched tops like a violin, and mandolin orchestras became a craze across America in the early 1900s.
In the 1940s, Bill Monroe made the mandolin the heart of a brand-new style he called bluegrass. Today you’ll hear it everywhere from bluegrass festivals and Celtic sessions to rock songs like R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” and Led Zeppelin’s “Going to California,” and players like Chris Thile have taken it into jazz and classical music.
Play With Other Musicians
The mandolin is made for playing with others. Our students can perform in student recitals to build confidence in a friendly setting. We also teach fiddle, banjo, guitar, and bass, so you can learn the whole string band under one roof, and many students take piano lessons to strengthen their music theory.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are lessons?
Choose 30, 45, or 60-minute private lessons. There’s no long-term contract, and your first lesson is free.
What age can my child start mandolin lessons?
Many kids start around age 7 to 9, once their hands are strong enough to press down the paired strings. The mandolin’s small size makes it a comfortable first string instrument. Adults are welcome at any age.
Do I need my own mandolin?
Yes, you’ll need an instrument to practice at home. A well set-up A-style mandolin is a great way to start. Ask us at your free lesson if you’d like help choosing one.
Why does the mandolin have eight strings?
The strings come in four pairs, and each pair is tuned to the same note. You play each pair together like a single string, which gives the mandolin its bright, full sound.
I play guitar. Will mandolin be easy to learn?
Your rhythm, picking, and chord knowledge will help a lot. The mandolin is tuned in fifths instead of fourths, so chord shapes and scales are different, and a teacher can help you make the switch quickly.
I play violin. Can I learn mandolin?
Yes, and you’ll have a head start. The mandolin is tuned exactly like a violin, so the notes are in the same places on the fingerboard. The main new skills are picking and fretting.
Schedule Your Free Mandolin Lesson
Ready to get started? Call us at 719-722-0248 or send us a message to book your free introductory mandolin lesson.
Rocky Mountain Academy of Music · 5426 North Academy Blvd, Ste 101 · Colorado Springs, CO 80918