30 Bluegrass Tunes EVERY Mandolinist Should Know

Here are 30 iconic bluegrass and old time tunes that some of the best mandolin players out there think you should learn!
✅ Subscribe for even more mandolin videos and lessons - kzbin.info...
🚀 Support my Patreon Page for tons of exclusive mandolin goodies like, pdf transcriptions, bonus lessons, and more - / davidbenedictmandolin
WATCH NEXT:
🎵 How Do You Write a Bluegrass Mandolin Solo??? - • How Do You Write a Blu...
🎬 How to Play Fiddle Tunes Playlist - • How to Play Fiddle Tunes
MY WEAPONS OF CHOICE:
🤡 Golden Gate 1.3mm X-Stiff Triangle Clown Barf Pick - amzn.to/3h2Mud3
🧶 D’Addario XTCM Strings - amzn.to/35iwyAt
🐟 D’Addario Micro Tuner - amzn.to/3InvSII
🧣 D'Addario Microfiber Cloth - amzn.to/35mHcqg
💪 Dan Voight Arm Rest - voightmandolins.com/get-a-quote
🛡️ Mandolin Tone-Gard - www.tone-gard.com/
🎸 My Apitius Vanguard F5 Mandolin - www.apitiusmandolins.com/Model...
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS:
🎥 Check out my weekly video series #mandolinmondays - • Mandolin Mondays
🎙 Give a listen to my recorded work on Spotify - open.spotify.com/artist/6kjiO...
MY BANDS:
☕ Cup O’Joe - www.cupojoemusic.com/
🚢 The Foreign Landers - www.theforeignlanders.com/
LET’S BE FRIENDS:
💌 Sign up for my email newsletter - mailchi.mp/7d8a93a927a3/youtu...
🌍 My website - davidbenedictmandolin.com/
📚 Facebook - / davidbenedictmandolin
📸 Instagram - / davidbenedictmandolin
⏱ TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@davidbenedict...
ABOUT ME:
My name is David, and I play the mandolin. I've played with multiple award-winning bluegrass bands across the world including Missy Raines, Mile Twelve, Cup O’Joe, and The Foreign Landers, and I curate the weekly mandolin video series #mandolinmondays hosted by the Mandolin Cafe. But most of all, I love sharing my love of the mandolin with others. I run an online mandolin learning community on Patreon, and I also make videos to share my thoughts, ideas, and general mandolin enthusiasm with other mando aficionados. Find out more at the links below:
🌍 My website - davidbenedictmandolin.com/
🚀 My Patreon Page - / davidbenedictmandolin
*Just a little disclaimer that I’m endorsed by some of the companies represented here, and a few of my "weapon of choice" links above are affiliate links that bring in a small percentage of revenue for the channel.

[@ii53]

Here's the list... 1 Kentucky Waltz Bill Monroe 3/10 2 Soldier's Joy Traditional 4/10 3 Angeline The Baker Traditional 3/10 4 Cattle in the Cane Traditional 5/10 5 Cherokee Shuffle Traditional 6/10 6 Old Joe Clark Traditional 3/10 7 Red Wing Traditional 5/10 8 Wildwood Flower Carter Family 2/10 9 Lonesome Moonlight Waltz Bill Monroe 6/10 10 Big Sciota Traditional 4/10 11 Red Haired Boy Traditional 4/10 12 Blackberry Blossom Traditional 6/10 13 Beaumont Rag Traditional 6/10 14 Billy in the Lowground Traditional 5/10 15 St Anne's Reel Traditional 5/10 16 Bluegrass Stomp Bill Monroe 4/10 17 Salt Spring John Reischman 5/10 18 Paddy on the Turnpike Traditional 7/10 19 Salt Creek Traditional 6/10 20 Snowflake Reel Traditional 7/10 21 The Old Mountaineer Bill Monroe 7/10 22 Daybreak in Dixie Bill Napier 8/10 23 Bluegrass Breakdown Bill Monroe 9/10 24 Rebecca Herschel Sizemore 7/10 25 Roanoke Bill Monroe 6/10 26 Molly Bloom Alan Munde 5/10 27 Old Ebenezer Scrooge Bill Monroe 8/10 28 Big Country Jimmy Martin 8/10 29 Old Dangerfield Bill Monroe 7/10 30 Jerusalem Ridge Bill Monroe 8/10 Sheet music for all but four of them can be found on traditional music co uk

[@celeste9478]

Thank you so much for this!

[@ii53]

@@celeste9478you’re welcome

[@ecman1986]

Thanks for the list. :)

[@bajorekjon]

Thanks for compiling the list for us. I'm new to the instrument, so which song/ songs are beginner friendly. Thanks again

[@ii53]

@@bajorekjon i think the simplest is Old Joe Clark, Wildwood Flower then Soldier's Joy

[@soniah4821]

Wayfaring Stranger. Great tune to learn especially for beginners.

[@QuinnWeb]

Great vid. Thank u. I’ve got homework to do! In case this hasn’t been posted yet, here’s the list: Kentucky Waltz Soldier's Joy Angeline the Baker Cattle in the Cane Cherokee Shuffle Old Joe Clark Red Wing Wildwood Flower Lonesome Moonlight Waltz Big Sciota Red Haried Boy Blackberry Blossom Beaumont Rag Billy in the Lowground St Anne's Reel Bluegrass Stomp Salt Spring (Reishman) Paddy on the Turnpike Salt Creek Snowflake Reel The Old Mountaineer Daybreak in Dixie Bluegrass Breakdown (Monroe) Rebecca (Seizemore) Roanoke (Monroe) Molly Bloom (Munde) Old Ebenezer Scrooge Big Country (Jimmy Martin) Old Dangerfield Jerusalem Ridge

[@M-David-Hakoh]

I think it shoud be Whiskey Before Breakfast. Its a old fiddle toon but if done right, sounds amazing on the mandolin

[@brianeversole3849]

I think this is the best video you have made so far. This is great!! We were at IBMA this year and had a great time, this video perfectly captures the vibe of being a mandolin player at IBMA. Really great memories. Thanks for capturing this!!

[@Steve_Mtown]

Thank you, David! I think you've filled out my practice dance card for the next 10 years.

[@catherinemcbride351]

Mine too!

[@RVsbladesnthangs]

Exactly

[@ReedShield1962]

So many Bill Monroe tunes!! But that makes sense. Now I have some ideas on how to increase my repertoire. PS - I think Roanoke should be rated 10/10!! Thanks David!!

[@shawnkelly5191]

Lol totally agree on Roanoke!

[@CryingUncle]

Thanks for including me, David! - Teo

[@reallyoldtom9352]

I believe that the best bluegrass mandolin song to learn to play is the one that doesn't sound like the one that you just played or the one you're going to play next. Monotony kills !

[@__mumenrider]

what is bro yapping abt

[@cosmiccark]

Lmao fr@@__mumenrider

[@cynthmarr9486]

This was so much fun - thanks for putting it together and sharing with us!

[@shawnkelly5191]

Such a great idea for a video, and the execution was perfect! Good stuff!

[@youmondo]

What a wild ride, looks like it was a blast! Nice way to put together a best-of tune list. Thanks!

[@joekagerer]

I find the "difficulty level" interesting, because it depends on how many ornaments you add, and how fast you play it. For me at David's speed, they're all 10/10 difficulty...

[@longtalljay]

Splendid! While you are there at IBMA, David, how about 30 mandolins that pro-level IBMA attendees actually play? Will give us something to aspire to when we get around to buying our own lifelong instrument.

[@RVsbladesnthangs]

I was shocked that Whiskey Before Breakfast didn't make the list. I'm not very good at it but I'm working on it 😂

[@huliniswhoiam]

Something I've noticed about your playing David that I think is brilliant. When you're playing melodies, it looks to the observer like you're just strumming. Your hand is so free! Yet you have so much control. It's fascinating

[@bossanovista]

Brilliant idea for a video and very clean production!! So nice to see a cameo of my mando teacher Nick Cameron. Learning Jerusalem Ridge and thanks to Ms. Hull I can listen to some other versions. I will definitely be searching YT for some of the tunes I never heard before. Thank you! 😊

[@superblindeye1]

First song I taught myself to play was whiskey before breakfast.

[@catherinemcbride351]

David, you are a highly skilled musician, and an amazing videographer! I know how much time and energy it takes to create a video like this! Super helpful and fun content. I really appreciate all your educational efforts, you are inspiring and helping the next generation of mandolin players!

[@brendastafford9649]

Such an outstanding video, a piece of art, a mandolin geek's dream. Enjoyed it so much , David! :-)

[@gardenianine9627]

I’d like to hear you do Big Sandy River!

[@darrenlivingston5572]

Just now learning Old Ebeneezer Scrooge. I’m not sure if it’s going to come up in many jams, but it is definitely a fun one to play and it sounds really cool.

[@vballady]

Excellent selection and variety of tunes. Inspiring. Thanks.

[@chadbrown1544]

This was a lot of fun! Thanks for making this and doing what you do for the mandolin world. It is greatly appreciated!

[@randybroadwell2060]

What a fun time that was! I really enjoyed this video. Thanks for sharing your gifts and talents.

[@waynebagley]

Loved this video. Going to need the tabs. Loved hearing you play your new Gibson.

[@mattparksmusic]

Awesome video man! I always enjoy hearing you play, and this made me want to get with more mando players!

[@martinstradling1458]

What a really great video. Thank you so much for this, David. IBMA is now definitely on my bucket list after watching all the fun stuff you captured going on this year. I'd love to see the same thing next year to see who you can catch and how the lists compare. Maybe this can become an annual tradition

[@markmelville6670]

I live right outside of Raleigh in Garner. I go there ever year to talk to my fellow builders. Love that gig.

[@willcooper7345]

This is GREAT - David! Thank you. My request might be to now ask for a playlist of the “best” or the most traditional versions of these songs by artists. I am going to make a playlist of these right NOW! I just think it would be great to hear the quintessential versions.

[@RVsbladesnthangs]

Great to see Scott Napier in this... he was one of my instructors at Camp Bluegrass this year and I really enjoyed his teaching methods

[@samstamos427]

Awesome video.. So many good tunes and variety of mandolins! I've played about one third of them which I should revisit. This'll be fun.. Look forward to you next stream, although football season makes it difficult on Saturday mornings. Season tickets and tailgate parties.. Cheers!

[@clarehaven6068]

Awesome idea and execution David! Your content has always been amazing but keeps getting better and better! Temperance Reel! : ))

[@conniefletcher6884]

Love this! Fun to see Marcel!!!!

[@richcibelli1445]

Great Video David. What a collection of tunes to learn. Thanks again!

[@Bobbyblackshirt]

I’d really like a Jerusalem ridge lesson if you were to add one. You haven’t done that one yet have you?

[@lowtone9]

Hadn't seen the Flatiron in a while, David. Sounds great! This is really inspiring stuff!

[@LibbysBluegrassVideos]

Great video! I really enjoyed this. Well done!

[@felixl.7687]

I have no idea about mandolins but this format / video editing is very pleasing. Great that you cut in your examples.

[@pilotdrew85]

great video David, thanks for putting this together!

[@moessnerparker7006]

one year in to learning and pretty sure ill use this as a guide for my next year of learning. @david would love for you to talk about the flat iron at some point

[@grey3p]

We need a lesson on Daybreak in Dixie!!

[@KodyRobinson1]

This video is a great jump-in point for us new mandolin players. Thank you for making this.

[@johntait491]

A really interesting and informative video. Thank you David. 👍

[@kcc879]

What a fantastic video! I just brought myself a seagull s8 mandolin for my Christmas present and I want to learn ALL of those tunes 😂

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

I can already tell this is gonna be a banger video

[@meilinheirendt]

killer video!! best bluegrass content out there

[@johnnyparker9928]

Great content, each mandolin players perspective on Bluegrass tunes. It's a big pond!

[@sjbreen]

Thanks David for putting this together.

[@tommyleebaker1]

All great tunes, possibly add Rawhide, Kentucky Mandolin and New Camptown Races as must learns for the budding, social climbing mandolinist of today 🙂

[@JamesJessenfedden]

Absolutely to New Camptown. The key of Flea Bat and Wrank Fakefield must be incorporated into any aspiring mandolinists arsenal.

[@longtalljay]

At #29, I was thinking how could they miss "JR." I am from India. In 2003, in my first sitar lesson at UT Austin, I adempted that tune on sitar. In 2006, during my first Berea College Appalachian Sound Archives Fellowship, I visited Bean Blossom, IN, asking around town where the eponymous ridge was. In 2013, in my Yoga Teacher Training convocation, I played that tune on mando!

[@jonasmooney9411]

SO SICK!!! Great video thank you

[@AllenJameson]

This is so awesome. I now have 29.5 new tunes to learn! I am really gonna try to do one of these a month for the next year, and see where I get.

[@sellark]

This was a fun video. Thanks for sharing David. CK.

[@luthiermatt]

Great video. There were a lot of surprises on your list and it gives me great stuff to work on. Tristan is right. Salt Spring gets a lot of play in CO. I think there are some pretty big regional differences in what folks would consider standards. I also hear folks pick Clinch Mountain Backstep, EMD, Cold Frosty Morning, Southern Flavor and Whiskey Before Breakfast (a lot!). For me the difficultly level goes up dramatically when I can play a tune at 110-120 BPM and someone starts it above 130. I'm toast.

[@superblindeye1]

Hey, I'm still only around 85 to 90 beats per minute right now. So you are a little further ahead than me. Still, I found your comment hilarious.

[@bronwynsinclair1646]

What an amazing looking place. What a feast for the eyes and ears (and wallet!)We could only dream of something like that over here.

[@Plorzie]

In my younger years learning mando in the 70, I absorbed myself in any mandolin I could, which wasn’t easy without things like KZbin. Monroe tunes were mostly what I learned so a lot of them come to mind but no ONE tune stands alone, so here’s a few of the dozens that come to mind: Rawhide, Big Mon, Boston Boy, Monroe’s hornpipes, and Big Mon’s words “the greatest of all was Jenny Lynn” amongst many others.

[@joshmxvi]

Really cool format for a travel vlog!

[@MichaelFath]

Magnificent presentation, thanks so much!!!

[@redaleta]

Now I have a list to work my way through.

[@johnsnedekerjr594]

Wow such a great video so many great tunes thank you

[@lemielami]

I am grateful to be able to experience such wonderful video while in Japan！

[@ginxxyami]

thank you for taking the time. the mandolin is a dope instrument.

[@rockyjohnstone]

Nice! I'm gonna get right on these tunes starting night.

[@allenhouse4662]

How is “Rawhide” not on this list? I am flabbergasted.

[@jb870mag]

💯

[@ckirchner851]

What a treat! Thanks!

[@robertmray]

DANG!! I've got a LONG way to go! Super video. Cheers from Gatlinburg Tn,

[@jchest2]

Let's not forget Rawhide by Bill Monroe and Jesse McReynold's cross picking Home Sweet Home!

[@Del_Puerto_Musica]

Such a fun and cool video man! Gotta know your standards!

[@jacobsladdersong]

Thanks David for this! Had to take off from IBMA early, but would have loved to contribute (Ariel, Jacob’s Ladder, the Ruta Beggars). Here are my faves that were missed: -Monroe’s Hornpipe -Goodbye Liza Jane -Bill Cheatham -Farewell To Trion -Big Sandy River -New Five Cents -8th of January And a lesser known one but is an absolute Bill Monroe classic: -Tombstone Junction. Keep it up with these videos, killer content!

[@Mandoslicer]

Wow your snakehead sounds fantastic! Also, you have upgraded your recording set up. Really nice. Oh…Ditto #9.

[@wesM69]

I might as well throw in my 2 cents,,, one of the first tunes I learned was Whiskey before breakfast.

[@clawhammer704]

How about Bill Monroe’s Rawhide?

[@BlauwgrasBluegrass]

Thank you David!

[@CindyLeeWatts]

Hey, I see my friend Allen Shadd in the background. LOL. Great video. I just decided to pick up the mandolin not long ago and I'm learning a lot from your videos. Thanks.

[@chiron14pl]

Enjoyed hearing these many tunes, I would like to know more about your difficult ratings

[@terrygreennway9655]

Great video. Thanks

[@RonDuligi]

I would love to have a lesson video for Kentucky Waltz. That sounded real nice. I've been practicing tremolo with Watson Blues and Kentucky Waltz would be great

[@JacobThomas-kk1jk]

When Ronnie said Bluegrass Breakdown I was so happy. I would have to say either Old north woods or Garfields blackberry blossom. Non traditional is a Sam Bush song of choice.

[@mandolinmountain]

Cool video! Looks like I got some work to do! 😅

[@yoniudkoff3577]

Awesome awesome vid!!!

[@manguydude905]

Arkansas traveler!

[@mitzioden4926]

All are great tunes, but I think Rawhide was one of Bill's most requested tunes and as such, should be learned.

[@DanAbbott-SMCC]

What a delightful video. I love to play bluegrass but also really like things that people don't expect like La Vie En Rose or an Ed Sheeran tune or anything written by Jay Unger. I'm astonished that you can rip off everything suggested no matter how complex or obscure.

[@jmtaylorism]

What a to do list!

[@timmcninch]

I can't find a good "Jerusalem Ridge" mando tutorial out there... I'd love one from you on that one!

[@mistahcoughdrop]

Well done, amigo.

[@GeorgeJeremias]

No Rawhide?!

[@bjuddville]

New Camptown Races is a must.

[@pdxyadayada]

Brilliant!

[@danielbrowniel]

First song I learned is whiskey before breakfast. Right now I'm teaching myself Ashokan Farewell,.. (oh no that's a violin song).. oh well, in my opinion it sounds great on mandolin and just as good on guitar.

[@thefreese1]

I think every mandolin player should know Big Mon

[@rileysump3913]

You were saving the 10/10 for a Thile tune but no one called for one haha

[@longtalljay]

"Those were the days" and "Dark Eyes"!

[@orchardhouse9241]

Starting with slower tunes is a good idea. I'm a violinist, but I'm hoping to get a mandolin someday.

[@gypsyfire032011]

Fabulous video! Just one question: All the tunes are between a 2 and 9 as far as difficulty goes - Any opinion as to what a 1 or a 10 might be?

[@stefanhuegin8292]

Good idea David 😘

[@SantamanitaClauscaria]

I spent most of my life playing heavy stuff on guitar. Around 40, due to some nerve damage making it too painful to play a 6-string anymore, I decided to pick up the mandolin even though I had never listened to bluegrass. After about 3 years of playing rock tunes on mando (a fun little niche), I've decided I should get serious about learning the bluegrass standards. Well, after watching this video I now have a tab open for each of the songs named. 30 tabs, 30 days. And after that I'll look at whats in the comments for more. Also: anyone in or around Abq, NM looking for a mando player to jam with, hit me up!

[@blakejohnson2052]

So jealous of your right hand!!

[@jayjuliecooper8882]

Rawhide of course!!😊