What This Resource Includes
Vocal Tunes
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Traditional songs arranged for classroom use, with an emphasis on singing together and supporting ensemble roles.
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Lyrics with chords in a clear, student-friendly layout
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Keys chosen to work well for classroom voices
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Flexible verses — students are encouraged to add or rewrite lyrics
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Focus on groove, harmony, and shared singing rather than memorization
Example Vocal Tune "Lazy John"
Instrumental Tunes
Instrumental repertoire suitable for fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bass, and mixed ensembles.
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Concert-key chord charts
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Clear A/B forms
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Learning tools that support ear-based instruction
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Designed to work even when students are at different experience levels
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Suitable for ensembles with any combination of fiddle, mandolin (or ukulele), guitar, bass, banjo
Example Tune "Sally Ann"
Sample Materials
Practice Recordings
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Phrase-by-phrase and full-tune recordings
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Slow to medium tempos
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Button: Listen to Sample Recordings
"Lazy John" - Practice Recording
Long Phrases (2 short phrases together)
"Sally Ann" - Phrase by Phrase
Sample Version
Phrases
Full parts (each played twice through)
"Sally Ann"
Rhythm Accompaniment
Slow Rhythm Guitar
Rhythm Guitar -
Key of A
"Sally Ann" Jam -
Key of A
Notes
The phrase recordings coincide with the phrase mapping document.
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The long phrases are two short phrases put together.
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In the B-part of "Sally Ann" the third long phrase repeats twice.
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To play the full song, play the A-part two times through, then the B-part two times through.
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The jam track features a recorded solo for students to practice changing from lead to rhtyhm and back again. ​
How This Works in the Classroom
Students learn songs and tunes primarily through listening, repetition, and ensemble participation. Teachers can introduce material gradually, loop short sections, and allow students to join in wherever they recognize something. This approach supports mixed skill levels and keeps students engaged as new material is introduced.
The materials are designed to work whether students are singing, playing melody, or supporting the group with rhythm and harmony.
Phrase Mapping (For Instrumental Tunes)
Phrase Mapping is a learning tool used with instrumental tunes to break music into small, hear-able chunks. Students learn short phrases first and gradually combine them into longer sections and full tunes. Simple phrase labels give teachers and students a shared rehearsal language and help make repetition and reuse easy to hear and understand.
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Phrase maps are used during learning and rehearsal, not as performance notation.​
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A Natural Path to Creativity
Because students learn music in phrases rather than measures or scales, they are naturally set up to vary ideas, reinterpret repeated sections, and experiment creatively. Improvisation grows out of familiar material, making it less intimidating and more musical from the beginning.
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This applies to both instrumental tunes and vocal songs, whether students are reshaping melodies or creating new verses.
Who is This For?
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Middle school and high school ensembles
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General music classes
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Teachers new to bluegrass or traditional music
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Programs with mixed experience levels
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No prior bluegrass experience is required.
About
These materials were developed by a working musician and educator through real classroom teaching and ensemble work. The goal is to offer flexible, practical resources that respect traditional music while fitting the realities of modern classrooms.
Updates & New Materials
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