Hey, mandolin player—if you've ever listened to a jazz tune and thought, "That sounds amazing, but how do I even start on mandolin?"—you're in the right place.
Don Julin
Don Julin, the author of the best-selling "Mandolin For Dummies" (Wiley 2012) and creator of Mandolins Heal The World (online mandolin school), has developed a reputation for being one of the most eclectic mandolin players/teachers on the scene today.
Don has released over 20 CDs of original music and played on countless others. His original compositions appear in many network and cable television programs. Recent clients include HBO, NBC, Showtime, Bravo, National Geographic Explorer, and more. His 2024 release, Fractured Fiddle Tunes, is a collection of re-imagined traditional fiddle tunes.
Julin was instrumental in launching the career of bluegrass phenom Billy Strings. The duo Billy Strings & Don Julin toured the USA in a mini-van (2013-2015), playing over 500 shows to bluegrass fans, young and old alike. The duo recorded two CDs (Rock of Ages 2012) and (Fiddle Tune X 2014).
This is the first course in my Jazz Mandolin series, built for players just getting into jazz.
No prior jazz experience needed.
We'll tackle a handpicked set of accessible standards that sound pro but break down simply.
You'll walk away playing full tunes—melodies clean, chords swinging, rhythms locked in—plus the theory and improv tools to keep growing.
You've got the bluegrass chops, but jazz? The swing feel trips you up. Chords feel scattered. Melodies twist in ways mandolin doesn't always love. And improv? Forget it—you freeze when it's time to solo. Sound familiar? I've been there. This course cuts through that fog with practical steps rooted in real tunes.
The Tunes:
Autumn Leaves
Blue Bossa
Afternoon in Paris
What Is This Thing Called Love
Bluesette
Satin Doll
What You'll Get:
Step-by-step breakdowns of wide-ranging jazz standards perfect for mandolin beginners in jazz. Here's the transformation:
- Melodies That Stick: Learn every note, phrase by phrase, with tabs and slow demos. Play them fluidly at real tempos.
- Chords & Voicings: Master jazz chord shapes and progressions that fit mandolin's range—no barre chord nightmares.
- Rhythm & Swing: Nail the pulse and comping patterns that make jazz groove. (Think: relaxed eighths that swing without rushing.)
- Core Theory Made Simple: Just enough—scales, arpeggios, tensions—to understand what's happening under the melody.
- Improv Starters: Safe licks and patterns to solo over these tunes right away. Build your ear and vocabulary without overwhelm.
 The Workshop Includes:
85 Training Videos
PDF with standard notation, tablature and chord diagrams.
Practice tracks
24/7 Lifetime access to course material
Picture yourself confidently playing through your favorite jazz standards, understanding precisely what’s happening harmonically and how to respond musically.
That’s what’s waiting for you on the other side of this course.
You Can Access This Great Course in Two Ways.
A one-time purchase will give you lifetime access to the course material.Â
A Premium Subscription will allow you to access many courses and live events for a specific time period.
Download the FREEÂ Swing '42 (melody)Â PDF.
This PDFÂ includes standard notation and mandolin tablature.
Download Free PDF