Classical Mandolin with Caterina Lichtenberg
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Course Structure Classical Mandolin with Caterina Lichtenberg
Each lesson builds on the last, taking you from zero to hero!
Master classical mandolin with virtuoso Caterina Lichtenberg. Over 100 lessons from fundamentals through advanced techniques across Classic, Romantic, Contemporary and Baroque repertoire.
01 Classical Mandolin Overview
Discover classical mandolin with history, technique and essential gear insights. Start your classical mandolin journey with an exploration of the origins, characteristics, styles, and traditions. Learn classical mandolin basics from instrument types to timeless technique.
01 Introduction to Intermediate Classical Mandolin
Explore the next steps in classical mandolin and prepare to place your level with a video. Learn how to begin the intermediate path and share your playing for personalized guidance. Start your intermediate journey with placement support and space for additional topics.
02 Holding the Mandolin
Learn proper seated positions for five common mandolin types to support ease and comfort. Explore how to sit comfortably with different mandolin styles for better posture and tone. Learn the best ways to hold various mandolins while seated to support relaxed, effective playing.
02 Vibrato
Learn the basics of vibrato to add warmth, expression, and depth to your mandolin tone. Explore vibrato technique to enhance musical phrasing and expressive control. Develop a gentle, even vibrato to bring more feeling and nuance to your playing.
03 Fundamentals
Learn how to tune, hold the pick, and build coordination with both hands for steady progress. Explore tuning, hand position, and timing basics to lay a strong foundation for mandolin playing. Learn essential setup and technique skills to begin playing the mandolin with ease and confidence.
03 Intermediate Arpeggio Techniques
Learn intermediate arpeggio techniques to build fluency, control, and musical expression. Explore arpeggios in classical works to strengthen right-hand technique and phrasing. Develop flowing arpeggios through expressive pieces by Leone, Calace, Denis, and Fouchetti.
04 Dynamics & Tone Color
Explore how dynamics and tone color shape musical expression through guided exercises. Learn to control volume and tone for more expressive, nuanced mandolin playing. Develop dynamic control and tonal variety to bring depth and character to your playing.
04 Starting with Upstroke in 45º
Learn to begin phrases with an upstroke using a 45º hand angle for better tone and control. Explore starting with upstrokes to refine articulation and right-hand flexibility. Develop precise picking technique through angled upstrokes in expressive classical pieces.
05 Left & Right Hand Together
Learn to coordinate both hands through ear training and progressive technical exercises. Explore hand coordination and listening skills to build fluency and control. Develop left- and right-hand coordination with structured exercises and ear training.
05 Harp Arpeggio
Learn harp-style arpeggios to create flowing, bell-like textures across multiple strings. Explore three-string harp arpeggios to enhance tone, fluidity, and right-hand technique. Develop graceful, layered arpeggios for a more expressive and resonant mandolin sound.
06 Songs on One String
Learn simple melodies and early dance tunes to build musicality and confidence in playing. Explore folk songs and Baroque dances to develop tone, rhythm, and expressive playing. Play familiar tunes and early pieces to strengthen note reading, phrasing, and style.
06 Glissando
Learn glissando technique to add smooth, expressive slides between notes. Explore glissando to enhance phrasing and bring fluid motion to your playing. Develop control and expression through sliding technique in a Calace study.
07 Songs on Two Strings
Learn simple two-string songs to build tone, phrasing, and early melodic confidence. Explore melodies by Brahms, Bartók, and more to strengthen coordination and musicality. Develop control and expression through well-known tunes played on two strings.
07 Pizzicato
Learn left- and right-hand pizzicato to add variety, texture, and articulation to your playing. Explore pizzicato techniques to develop expressive control and tonal contrast. Develop both left- and right-hand pizzicato for more color and character in your music.
08 Playing on All Four Strings
Learn major scales across all four strings to build finger strength and fretboard familiarity. Explore G, C, and D major scales to develop coordination, tone, and technique. Build fluency and precision with full-range scale exercises in G, C, and D.
08 Harmonics
Learn natural and artificial harmonics to add sparkle and color to your mandolin playing. Explore harmonic techniques to create bell-like tones and expand your sound palette. Develop clarity and control with shimmering harmonic effects using both hands.
09 Adding Accidentals
Learn how to read and play accidentals to expand your note range and musical expression. Explore pieces with accidentals to strengthen reading skills and tonal awareness. Develop confidence with sharps and flats through expressive etudes by Christofaro.
09 Chromatics
Learn chromatic scales and pieces to improve finger agility and fretboard fluency. Explore chromatic motion to develop precision, speed, and expressive control. Build technique and musical color through chromatic scales and a lyrical waltz.
10 Combining Downstroke & Upstroke (On the Same Note)
Learn to combine downstrokes and upstrokes on a single note for smoother, faster playing. Explore right-hand picking patterns to build fluidity and control with repeated notes. Develop even tone and technique by alternating strokes on the same note.
10 Tremolo Staccato - Duo Style Technique
Learn tremolo staccato to add clarity, texture, and rhythmic interest to your playing. Explore short, expressive tremolo strokes to enhance articulation and dynamic contrast. Develop precise tremolo staccato technique through melodies and duo-style exercises.
11 Combining Downstroke & Upstroke (With Changing Notes)
Explore early and Romantic-era pieces to develop style, phrasing, and expressive technique. Learn varied historical works to build musical interpretation and refine your picking technique. Develop tone, timing, and character through Baroque, Renaissance, and Romantic selections.
11 Intermediate Double Stops with Tremolo
Develop tremolo technique using double stops to build harmony, finger strength, and expressive depth. Explore layered melodies and studies to develop control and musical richness. Develop tone and coordination with double stop exercises and duet-style pieces.
12 Basic Arpeggio Techniques
Learn basic arpeggio techniques to support fluid picking and melodic clarity. Explore simple arpeggios through familiar tunes to build coordination and tone. Develop right-hand technique with easy arpeggios and well-known melodies.
12 Intermediate Ornaments
Learn trills, mordents, and grace notes to add stylistic expression across eras of music. Explore ornaments from early to Romantic music to enhance phrasing and musical detail. Develop expressive technique with trills, appoggiaturas, and historically informed ornamentation
13 Arpeggio Techniques on Two Strings
Explore lyrical and dance-inspired pieces to develop phrasing, tone, and musical style. Learn expressive works to deepen your interpretation and strengthen technique. Develop musicality through elegant preludes and Baroque-style allemandes.
13 Playing in Higher Positions
Learn to play and shift in higher positions to expand your range and expressive possibilities. Explore second and third position tremolo, shifting, and mixed-position pieces for greater fluency. Develop confidence and control across the fretboard with shifting, tremolo, and lyrical works.
14 Double Stops
Learn double stops and expressive pieces to expand hand coordination, and musical depth. Explore harmony and character through double stop work and lively Baroque dances. Develop finger independence and musical expression with double stops and stylistic pieces.
14 Speed & Coordination Exercises
Learn targeted exercises to build speed, accuracy, and finger independence. Develop coordination and agility through progressive studies and focused finger training. Explore techniques to strengthen control and improve responsiveness across all fingers.
15 Arpeggio Technique Pieces on Three Strings
Explore expressive phrasing and freedom in short solo works by Leone and Strauss. Learn to shape musical lines and dynamics through a cadenza and lyrical prelude. Develop interpretive skills with a dramatic cadenza and a flowing Romantic-style prelude.
15 Chord Arpeggio Exercises
Learn chord arpeggios to strengthen hand coordination and enrich harmonic playing. Explore arpeggiated chords to develop smooth transitions and dynamic control. Develop fluidity and tone through chord-based arpeggio studies and expressive pieces.
16 Introduction to Tremolo
Learn the basics of tremolo technique to create sustained, expressive mandolin tones. Explore tremolo playing step by step, with focus on tone, timing, and musical expression. Develop a smooth tremolo through guided practice, familiar melodies, and dynamic control.
16 Syncopation Exercises
Learn to play syncopated rhythms to improve timing, precision, and musical expression. Explore syncopation through contrasting tempos to develop rhythmic flexibility and control. Develop a strong rhythmic sense with focused syncopation exercises in both slow and lively styles.
17 Tremolo Exercises on One String
Learn to control tremolo across all strings to build consistency, tone, and fluid motion. Explore string-specific tremolo exercises to strengthen right-hand technique and control. Develop even tremolo tone on each string with focused studies by Ranieri.
17 Intermediate Pieces (Baroque, Classic, Romantic, Modern)
Explore expressive intermediate pieces to strengthen technique, tone, and musical interpretation. Learn classical and Romantic works to deepen phrasing, dynamics, and stylistic awareness. Develop musical fluency with intermediate pieces by Beethoven, Bach, Calace, and more.
18 Tremolo Exercises & Simple Pieces
Learn scales, shifting, and string crossings through expressive folk and classical pieces. Explore key techniques like shifting and changing strings with studies and melodic works. Develop control and musicality through scales, folk melodies, and progressive etudes.
19 Tremolo Combined with Downstrokes
Learn to blend tremolo and downstrokes for greater variety in tone and articulation. Explore combining tremolo with rhythmic strokes to enhance expression and control. Develop dynamic contrast and phrasing by integrating tremolo with accented downstrokes.
20 Double Stop Tremolo
Learn double stop tremolo to add richness and harmony to familiar melodies. Explore tremolo with two-note harmonies to deepen tone and expressive range. Develop control and musical depth through double stop tremolo on well-known tunes.
21 Alternate Picking
Learn alternate picking to build speed, accuracy, and efficiency in both hands. Explore alternate picking through scales and studies to strengthen coordination and tone. Develop clean, even picking with step-by-step exercises and melodic practice.
22 Down & Up Stroke Coordination
Learn to coordinate down and up strokes for smoother, more accurate picking. Explore picking precision and control with scales, exercises, and folk melodies. Develop right-hand consistency through targeted stroke coordination studies.
23 Combining 45º & 90º Hand Positions
Learn single-string downstrokes and hand angles to improve tone, clarity, and control. Explore elegant melodies and hand positioning to refine articulation and technique. Develop tone and precision with Baroque dances and focused right-hand positioning.
24 Introduction to Ornaments
Learn pull-offs, hammer-ons, and trills to add expression and style to your playing. Explore ornaments in classical and modern pieces to enhance phrasing and musical color. Develop expressive technique through decorative tones in Baroque and lyrical works.
Advanced Classical Mandolin
Explore advanced techniques and repertoire to refine expression, agility, and full-fretboard mastery. Learn challenging arpeggios, tremolo, and concert works to deepen technical and musical skill. Develop virtuosity and stylistic depth through advanced études, scales, and classical masterpieces.
Duets with Mike Marshall
30 Day Challenge
Baroque Mandolin
Discover the history, techniques, and expressive repertoire of the Baroque mandolin. Explore Baroque mandolin music through historical insight, playing technique, and classic pieces. Learn about Baroque styles, pick techniques, and early repertoire for the mandolin.
About Classical Mandolin with Caterina Lichtenberg
Caterina Lichtenberg has taken everything she knows about classical mandolin and created a comprehensive video library that includes hundreds of online lessons. Members have unlimited access to all the lessons which are supplemented by backing tracks and other study materials. Plus there's special guests, exclusive interviews, and a community of classical mandolin enthusiasts from all over the world. What ultimately sets these lessons apart from other online offerings however, is the ability to submit a video using the ArtistWorks Video Exchange® learning platform. Caterina reviews each submission and records a video response with feedback on how you're doing and tips for how to improve. All students can access the Video Exchange library, which is always expanding and may contain the key to unlock your own playing.
About Caterina Lichtenberg
Caterina Lichtenberg has dedicated her life to studying the history, techniques, and repertoire of the great mandolin virtuosos of the past. She is a master of important pieces from the Baroque and Classical masters Dowland, Bach, Vivaldi, Leone, Denis, Fouchetti, and Beethoven, to the Romantic masters Cristofaro, Pettine, Ranieri, Branzoli, and Calace. For over 20 years she has been an ambassador for classical mandolin; recording, teaching, and touring throughout the world as a featured soloist. As a soloist, Caterina has performed with the New Century Orchestra, the LA Guitar Quartet, the Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester, and the Aachen Chamber Orchestra, among others. She has also performed with the Dresden Symphony Orchestra, the MDR Orchestra, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, and the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Berlin, to name a few. To date, Caterina has released 13 albums under her own leadership, with her most recent work, Solo, receiving a prestigious OPUS Klassik Award nomination. Since 2007 she has held the only professor position for mandolin in the world at the prestigious Music Conservatory in Cologne, Germany, and has been teaching at ArtistWorks since 2016.
What students are saying!
Classical Mandolin with Caterina Lichtenberg
Though I only joined ArtistWorks a few months ago, I can already say it is a great pleasure and honor to have Caterina as my teacher. I am grateful to live in a time when it is pos...
Classical Mandolin with Caterina Lichtenberg
I first heard Caterina play at a concert ten years ago, and fell in love with her tone. I had never heard a mandolin played so beautifully. I started taking lessons with her and no...
Mandolina Clasica
Estoy siguiendo el curso de mandolina clasica y me parece formidable , aprecio que la maestra Catherine tiene una gran didactica al exponer cada tema en cada una de sus sesiones; a...
This will be my second
This will be my second year with Caterina, she is the best teacher in the world! Thank you Artistworks for bringing her into my home.
great course for learning mandolin, for learning classical and for learning music in general
This is a great all round course whether or not you like mandolin or classical music. One of the biggest problems with learning classical music online is copyright issues when prov...
Classical Mandolin with Caterina Lichtenberg
I subscribed for a year to this course having played mandolin for some time, but knowing I had some poor technique holding me back. The recorded lessons are really clear and give y...
16 months in
After receiving the generous gift of a mandolin, I was then gifted with the knowledge of this platform. Then came the even bigger gift of Caterina sharing her talent, expertise, an...
Inspirational and compassionate teacher
Thank you, Caterina, for being my inspirational and compassionate teacher. Your mandolin lessons have helped me through the pandemic, and are still helping me. I have been a studen...
Lichtenberg Classical Mandolin
Ms. Lichtenberg is simply amazing. So smooth and cultured, so European! A breath of fresh air. But of course she is a virtuoso and provides such excellent technical lessons. She ha...
Mandolin with Caterina Lichtenberg
Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for. Although I would love to practice every day, my schedule does not make this easy. But when I can find the time I sit with my mand...
4.9 (23)