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Your teacherMeet Mark Lavengood
Mark Lavengood is a performing and recording artist based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and in his words, "I love the slide guitar." He learned slide guitar in his first band, Winter Sessions, where he first saw two of his earliest resonator influences, Joe Wilson of Steppin' In It and Drew Howard. He went on to play dobro with a number of Michigan bands and toured for seven years with Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys. He is a RockyGrass dobro champion and has played Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Grey Fox, Celtic Connections and Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble. He plays a Beard resonator guitar. "I love teaching," he says. "I love the culture of the resonator community."
Get to Know Mark Lavengood
Meet Mark: Dobro Lessons From The Bear Den
First notes of the inaugural Billy Strings Freak Fair, Ionia, MI · Photo by Jesse Faatz
In the Meet Mark lessons
- How Mark learned slide guitar in his first band, Winter Sessions
- His earliest resonator guitar influences: Joe Wilson of Steppin' In It and Captain Midnight Drew Howard
- How he went from Michigan bands to seven years of touring with Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys
- Why he teaches, in his own words
- The instrument and strings he plays: a Beard resonator guitar and GHS Strings
- The accessories you need to start: finger picks and a steel (bar), plus a capo
In Mark's words
“I'm a performing and recording artist based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and I love the slide guitar.”
“I love teaching. I love the culture of the resonator community.”
“I love the power of transcendence and therapy through music, through practice and performance alike.”
“Really, you just need your finger picks and the steel and you can start getting to work.”
Music, shows and the full story: marklavengood.com.
Every lesson is free with a free account: all 29, beginner to advanced. The Dobro Starter Kit adds an open-G tuning chart and the tab for your first roll. No card needed.
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Who is Mark Lavengood?
Mark is a performing and recording artist based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who plays dobro and slide guitar. He toured for seven years with Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys, throughout the country and internationally.
How did Mark Lavengood learn the dobro?
He learned slide guitar in his first band, Winter Sessions, where he first saw two of his earliest resonator guitar influences, Joe Wilson from Steppin' In It and Captain Midnight Drew Howard. He then started playing the dobro and played it with a number of Michigan bands.
What dobro does Mark Lavengood play?
Mark is a Beard endorsed artist and plays a Beard resonator guitar. He is also endorsed by GHS Strings, based out of Battle Creek, Michigan.
What bar does Mark use on the dobro?
He uses a Scheerhorn bar, which he says he prefers and really enjoys using.
What do I need to start playing dobro?
Mark shows finger picks, a steel (also called the bar or slide) and a capo. In his words, "really, you just need your finger picks and the steel and you can start getting to work."