Mark Kroos
From Mark Kroos
Mark Kroos plays 2 guitar necks at the same time. Originally from Lansing, MI but currently based in Williamsburg, VA he is one of the only people in the world touring his trade. His primarily instrumental style is characterized by open harmonies, polyphonic textures, incredible tapping technique, and is as entertaining to watch as it is to listen to. Live performances burst with energy and magnetism not typical of solo guitar music. Drawing influence from folk, Celtic, indie... (more)
Mark currently offers 48 guitar lessons at JamPlay, with 46 intermediate lessons and 2 song lessons.
Mark Kroos's contribution to JamPlay
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Extreme Folk Guitar
Extreme folk guitarist, Mark Kroos guides you step by step on the setup and technique aspect of playing in the style he deems "Extreme Folk." This style is also referred to by some as lap tapping.
Introduction
Mark Kroos introduces himself and the lesson series he is starting. In this lesson, Mark talks about what he'll be covering in the lessons to come.
7:47 Runtime
0.0 Difficulty
Guitar Setup and Preparation
In the second lesson of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark explains the ideal guitar setup for this style of playing. He talks about, strings, accessories and some things to watch out for in your setup.
7:43 Runtime
0.0 Difficulty
DADGAD Tuning
In lesson three of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark talks about the advantages of using DADGAD tuning in this style. He also demonstrates how to get in to DADGAD from standard tuning using your ear.
13:12 Runtime
1.5 Difficulty
Basic Fingerstyle Technique
In lesson four of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark discusses basic fingerstyle technique. Although this isn't the main technique that will be utilized in this style, it does come in to play, so covering the basics is necessary.
13:14 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
Basic Chords in DADGAD
Before jumping too far into the world of "extreme folk guitar," it's helpful to have a road map. In lesson five of his series, Mark Kroos covers some of the basic chords you'll utilize in this tuning.
7:51 Runtime
1.5 Difficulty
Left Hand Tapping
In the sixth lesson of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark Kroos discusses the left hand tapping techniques used in this style.
11:28 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
Right Hand Tapping
Now that you've learned the basic approach to left hand tapping, Mark Kroos demonstrates the basic approach to right hand tapping.
11:42 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
Using a Capo
In his eighth lesson with JamPlay, Mark Kroos discusses the primary function of a capo - to change keys. He will discuss more creative and conceptual ideas for capo use in a future lesson.
6:24 Runtime
1.0 Difficulty
Power Chords
In this lesson, Mark Kroos discusses power chords and how they apply to DADGAD tuning. This tuning enables you to use one finger to make your power chords, allowing you to project the chords and stay out of the way of your other hand for melody work.
12:58 Runtime
1.5 Difficulty
Combining Hands
Now that Mark has demonstrated tapping techniques for the left and right hands, it's time to combine them. In his ninth lesson, Mark provides a few exercises that help with this process.
9:41 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Parallel Fifths
In his 11th extreme folk lesson, Mark Kroos discusses parallel fifths and how they can be used to create melody. DADGAD tuning is extremely conducive to this compositional technique.
12:14 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
DADGAD D Major Playing
In this lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates the movable chord shapes necessary to play in a major key within DADGAD tuning.
16:22 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
DADGAD D Minor Playing
Now that you understand the basics of playing in D major, Mark discusses playing in D minor.
11:34 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
Percussive Techniques
In his fourteenth lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates how to turn your guitar into a drum kit.
19:37 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Chords in D Minor
In lesson 15, Mark demonstrates some chord chord grips for the diatonic chords in D minor. He also discusses how relative minor keys relate to their major counterparts.
12:34 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Cascading
In his sixteenth lesson in extreme folk guitar, Mark discusses a technique he calls "cascading." Cascading is a quick hammer-on and pull-off technique that allows notes within a melodic figure to run together in a seamless way.
12:47 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
More Cascading
Now that you've got the basic cascading technique under your belt, Mark is back with a look at what else you can do with this technique. In this lesson, he adds chords as well as picking into the mix.
18:44 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Open D Tuning
In his 18th lesson with JamPlay, Mark Kroos discusses the advantages of working in Open D Tuning. Additionally, he teaches some fundamental chords in this tuning as well as how to get to it from DADGAD.
28:27 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
Natural Harmonics
Mark Kroos is back with a lesson on natural harmonics. You may be familiar with the concept, but Mark takes it to the next level and demonstrates how to include these harmonics in the songwriting process.
27:50 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Creating Altered Tunings
In this lesson, Mark Kroos discusses why you may want to create your own altered tuning. He also provides some tuning tips and what to avoid.
20:55 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
6th Intervals
In this lesson, Mark Kroos takes a look at diatonic 6th intervals in both DADGAD and open D tuning.
33:51 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
Slap Harmonics
Mark is back with a lesson on slap harmonics. In this lesson, he covers when and how you might use this technique.
18:24 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Harp Harmonics
Now that Mark has covered natural and slap harmonics, he provides a lesson on what are commonly referred to as "harp harmonics." This technique will allow you to add some flair to your playing and can be combined with various other techniques.
16:31 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
CGDGGD Tuning
Mark Kroos covers a new tuning that you may want to try in your extreme folk playing. He covers the advantages of CGDGGD tuning, common chord shapes, and how to tune to it from DADGAD tuning.
25:28 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Practice Strategies
To conclude the first part of his Extreme Folk Guitar teachings, Mark Kroos provides a lesson on practice strategies. He discusses the differences between playing and practicing, time management and using tools like a metronome.
16:49 Runtime
1.0 Difficulty
Octaves
Returning to his Extreme Folk Guitar series, Mark Kroos offers up a lesson on octaves. Just like in the movable fifths lesson, Mark discusses how and why you might utilize octaves in your playing. He demonstrates the shapes associated with them and teaches some practical applications.
33:33 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
Thumb Percussion
In this lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates how to use your thumb to create percussive rhythms on the guitar. This is beneficial as a backing if you're singing, or have a lull in the music you're playing.
12:55 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
Explosive Pull-offs
In the lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates an easy, yet unique technique that can transform your playing and add some pop to your arrangements. Called an "explosive pull-off," this technique involves doing a mass pull-off of all the strings on the guitar.
5:39 Runtime
1.5 Difficulty
Partial Capos
In this lesson Mark discusses the use of a partial capo. He demonstrates how to utilize a partial capo and how this benefits your playing. Lastly, he discusses how to modify and create other partial and short cut capos.
18:02 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
Slap Pop Technique
In this lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates the slap and pop techniques. Similar to slap bass, you can use this technique to add percussion and a unique sounding attack to your playing.
25:49 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
Clawhammer Technique
In this lesson, Mark builds on the slap pop technique taught in his last. This quasi "clawhammer" technique is something most commonly found in banjo playing. Mark discusses its uses and demonstrates how to perform this technique on the guitar.
15:17 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
Open G Tuning
Mark Kroos returns to his "Extreme Folk Guitar" series with a lesson on Open G tuning. He discusses and demonstrates the basic chords in the key as well as some of the advantages of playing in Open G versus DADGAD or Open D tuning.
28:48 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
Muting With A Bandana
In this short lesson, Mark demonstrates how to utilize a bandana or handkerchief to accomplish a slight mute on your string. This helps to create a staccato rhythm effect that improves the groove.
12:35 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
Two Hand Grooves with Mark Kroos
Get your hands working together with this two hand grooves mini-series.
Series Introduction
In this lesson, Mark introduces the concepts for this mini-series of lessons. Designed as supplement material for his Extreme Folk series, this lesson set will get your hands working together. Mark provides prerequisite information as well as demonstrations of what you'll be learning in the series.
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Etude #1
In the first etude given by Mark, you'll start out slow and gradually work your way up to more challenging parts. This first lesson is designed to get you thinking about using your hands both individually and together.
9:27 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Etude #2
For the second etude in the Grooves series, Mark steps it up a notch on the difficulty. You'll start with a basic figure and begin to add complexity to it. Mark discusses and demonstrates the use of repeated figures in both odd and even groupings.
23:30 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Etude #3
Mark Kroos drops the skill level down a bit for the third etude in this mini-series. In this lesson, you'll focus on two hand patterns that are different, yet share common rhythmic patterns.
7:12 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Etude #4
Mark is back with the fourth etude in his grooves mini-series. He's amping the difficulty back up with this one and discusses passages that involve the hands working in close proximity to one another.
17:43 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Etude #5
For the fifth etude in his grooves series, Mark demonstrates a difficult pattern that utilizes open D tuning and a capo. This groove utilizes the "slap pop" technique discussed in Mark's Extreme Folk Guitar series.
17:17 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Etude #6
As you move along in these etudes, they become increasingly more difficult. This etude focuses on rhythmic patterns over melodies and incorporates percussion on the guitar body.
30:56 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Etude #7
Mark Kroos is back with another etude in his Groove mini-series. For etude seven, Mark introduces a more complex melody pattern for the right hand.
26:41 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Etude #8
For lesson nine in his mini-series, Mark provides an etude that focuses around the "slap-pop" technique he taught in his Extreme Folk series.
19:38 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Etude #9
For etude nine in his mini series, Mark changes things up a bit. You'll want to grab a handkerchief for this lesson! You'll also be adding percussive and melodic fretting elements.
15:35 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Etude #10
Mark returns with the tenth etude in his grooves mini-series. This etude is the most difficult by far. Starting with the left hand, you'll play a complex bass melody to which you will then begin adding rhythmic and melodic components with the right hand.
38:52 Runtime
4.0 Difficulty
Acoustic Tricks With Mark Kroos
Mark Kroos reaches in to his bag and pulls out a few tricks you might be interested in learning for the acoustic guitar.
Playing Two Guitars Simultaneously
Mark Kroos returns to JamPlay with a new mini-series. Here, Mark reaches into his bag of tricks and pulls out a few gems you may be interested in. To start things off, Mark provides a lesson on how he started playing a double neck guitar. Most people don't have one, so to get started, he discusses how you can use two separate guitars to achieve the same effect.
21:54 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Using a Stomp Box
Mark returns to his tricks lesson group with a lesson on using a wooden stomp box for percussion. He talks about his preferred box as well as some other options. Then, he demonstrates common ways to add it into your playing.
5:51 Runtime
1.5 Difficulty
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