Flatpicking Guitar Magazine

Free Monthly Lesson - October 2018

By Mickey Abraham

“Happy Hollow”

Arranged by Bronwyn Keith-Hynes

Download PDF | Download mp3

Hello and welcome once again to Flatpicking Guitar Magazine’s free lesson portion of our monthly newsletter. This month I offer you a cool old-time tune called “Happy Hollow.” I learned “Happy Hollow” from fiddler extraordinaire Bronwyn Keith-Hynes. Bronwyn plays with the bluegrass band Mile Twelve and I’d like to thank her for taking the time to share “Happy Hollow” for this month’s lesson.

I always enjoy learning flatpicking tunes straight from great fiddle players — too many guitar players learn only from other guitar players. By trying to play fiddle tunes note for note from a fiddle player you can be sure that your version is authentic. I chose to arrange “Happy Hollow” in the key of G using a capo at the second fret. To me this brought out the correct open strings and chord voicings. For an extra challenge try learning “Happy Hollow” in open A position without a capo.

Make sure to click on the included lesson mp3 to hear the melody and chords in action. I’d like to again thank Bronwyn for teaching all of us this cool tune! Be sure to check out her awesome band Mile Twelve. Should you have any questions or comments on this e-lesson just drop me a line at [email protected]