August 2026 Content
Content
Hey all, Jordan here on behalf of the team to bring you an update for the new tunes and lessons that were added in August. I hope you all enjoy it, and I hope it helps. I've still been playing catchup between Tunefox and my busy teaching schedule at the local music academy, but I've cranked out what I hope is a nice batch of new content that you all will dig.
There's a heap of new tunes, tabs and a few video lessons to check out this month. Check out the overview video to get a rundown of all the new tunes. If you want some extra musicianship and practice then give that video a watch as well.
Grand Overview
Practice Tips for Banjo, Mandolin & Guitar
1. Practicing Scales
This one is simple, but tough to do very well. Play 4 beats per scale note. That's it. The tricky part is getting each note to ring up until the moment the next starts. This is all about precise timing and coordination of the fretting and pick hands. Watch the video for a demo.
2. Practice Diatonic Modes
This is a concept that you can do on any instrument, and we have a few of these written out. It's basically scales within scales. For example, in the key of C major, if you start on a C note and end on a C, you'll get a C major sound. Duh. But did you know if you use those same notes and start and end on a D note you'll get a totally different sound? Is it minor or major? There's only one way to find out. Give it a shot. It really helps you know your scale notes on a deeper level.
Here's a few Scale Workouts that include Diatonic Modes: G Major Melodic Scale Workout for Banjo, G Major Scale Workout for Guitar, C Major Scale for Mandolin.
3. Practice Blending Rhythm and Lead
This can be done with scales or licks. Play the lick for a measure, then without stopping play a basic rhythm pattern for a measure. Then, without stopping, go back to the lick. Rinse and repeat. It will really help boost your time and get you thinking and feeling in terms of measures instead of individual notes.
4. Learning Licks
Learning to play a lick is one thing. Learning to understand and reapply is another. One only requires you to recite. The other requires critical thinking. Analyze what you are learning. Whether it's a song or a lick. Think. What scale is being used here? What chord is being played in the accompaniment. If you can identify these things and other theoretical and technical characteristics of a lick, measure or song, you will be much more likely to be able to reapply that knowledge elsewhere.
4. Any Piece of a Song Can Be a Lick
Remember, that critical thinking and analyzing thing I just mentioned? It applies here too. Any piece of a song can be used in the other as a "lick" if the circumstances match.