Free Introductory Lesson
Mandolin Lessons in Colorado Springs, Taught by a Bluegrass Player
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. Learn bluegrass, folk, Celtic, or old-time mandolin from George Willis, who plays mandolin, banjo, and fiddle in bluegrass bands, at our studio on North Academy Blvd near Union. Your first lesson is free, so you can meet George and see how lessons work before you commit. Mandolin students come from all corners of the Pikes Peak region, including Harrison D2, Cheyenne Mountain D12, and Academy District 20.
Who Mandolin Lessons Are For
- Complete beginners. The mandolin is compact and approachable, and no experience is needed.
- 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, and George teaches both.
- 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
From First Chords to Your First Jam
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 through:
- Picking and chords. Clean alternate picking, basic chord shapes, and the bluegrass “chop” that keeps a band locked in.
- Melodies and tunes. Scales up the neck and tunes learned by ear, from tab, or from standard notation.
- Tone and technique. Tremolo and cross-picking for a clear, ringing sound.
- Breaks and improvisation, so you can take a solo when it’s your turn
- Jamming skills. Common jam tunes, following chord changes, and playing backup behind other players.
Every student moves at their own pace. Weekly lessons keep you progressing steadily, and a teacher can catch picking and fretting habits early, before they become hard to unlearn.
Meet Your Mandolin Teacher
George Willis
George plays mandolin, banjo, and fiddle in bluegrass bands, so lessons are grounded in how the music is actually played: the chop that holds a band together, breaks, and the tunes you’ll hear at a jam.
Bluegrass and Classical
George is also a classically trained violinist. He trained at the CU Boulder College of Music, served as concertmaster of the CU Boulder Symphony, plays as a substitute with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, and has taught private lessons since 2018. Read George’s bio
Book Your Free First Lesson
Tell us a little about the student, and we’ll email you within 24 hours to find a time. Prefer a call or text? Just let us know.
After your free lesson, private lessons start at $149 per month for a weekly 30-minute lesson, with no long-term contract. Rather talk? Call 719-722-0248
“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. We also teach fiddle, banjo, guitar, and bass, so friends and family can learn the whole string band under one roof, and many students add piano lessons to strengthen their music theory. When you’re ready, you can play with other students in our ensembles and perform in student recitals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my own mandolin?
Yes. You’ll need a mandolin for lessons and for practice at home. A well set-up A-style mandolin is a great way to start, and we’re happy to help you choose one.
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 sit in the same places. The new skills are picking and fretting, and George teaches both instruments.
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.
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.
What age can my child start mandolin lessons?
Many kids start around ages 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.
How long are lessons, and what do they cost?
Choose 30, 45, or 60-minute private lessons. Your first lesson is free, and lessons start at $149 per month for a weekly 30-minute lesson after that, with no long-term contract.
Schedule Your Free Mandolin Lesson
Meet George, talk about your goals, and see if lessons are a good fit. 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