Lessons
BTL Music Notes offers lessons in a variety of formats to suit your personal needs, including traditional one-on-one instruction, PDF lessons, or your own pre-recorded video lessons. Our materials cover technique, music theory, improvisation, ear training, composition, practice approach, and developing your musical identity.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for some free PDF and video lessons, or click on the Shop tab at the top of this page to see our full selection of lessons available for purchase.
Private Lessons
If you are interested in something more personal, private lessons are available in Grand Rapids, MI or on Skype for guitar and mandolin. Every lesson has the capability of being recorded and every lesson is followed with a detailed review email.
Lessons are $50 for an hour or $175 for a package of four lessons in a month. The first meeting is free as a way for us to meet, determine your goals, strengths, and learning style.
If you are interested in private lessons, please email Hayes.
PDF Lessons
The Musical Alphabet and Staff Notation -
A brief description of the note names and how they relate to music notation. Includes mandolin tablature, but applicable to all instruments.
28.7 KB
28.7 KB
How to Construct a Major Scale -
A quick and easy PDF lesson on how to make major scales. Includes staff notation, TAB, and plain old letters. Note: you might want to download "The Musical Alphabet and Staff Notation" before reading this one.
29.9 KB
Crosspicking Part 2 - Another Day, Another Dollar
The accompanying sheet music to Crosspicking Part 2 Video Lesson.
27.4 KB
Daybreak in Dixie - Guitar - Basic Melody
This is a stripped down version of the bluegrass tune "Daybreak in Dixie."
41 KB
Daybreak in Dixie - Bluegrass Guitar Solo
A basic flatpicking solo over this bluegrass instrumental standard.
49.5 KB
Whiskey Before Breakfast - Closed Position Guitar Exercise
This version of Whiskey Before Breakfast uses no open strings, forcing us to develop left hand strength to compensate for the lack of sustain while playing in closed position.
40.2 KB
$4.99
This lesson covers how to begin using your favorite fiddle tune melodies as material for improvising. Includes arrangements (standard notation and mandolin TAB) for St. Anne's Reel (mandolin) and Over the Waterfall (guitar). Can be applied to any instrument.
$4.99
This lesson explores some techniques for creating an effective solo over a bluegrass song using the song's melody.
Highlights include intro phrases, solo techniques, ending phrases, and a sample solo over a bluegrass standard (standard notation and guitar tablature).