This book will teach you to play the mandolin through inspiring traditional music from around the world, arranged specifically for the instrument. The material isideal for beginners and requires no prior musical knowledge. More experienced mandolinists can benefit from an exciting array of tunes and ideas. Includes access to online audio performed at manageable tempos
Great for mandolinists who have learned the basics and are ready to take the next step. Important techniques are introduced like hammer-ons and pull-offs, different styles of tremolo, slides, cross-picking and rolls. Also included are in-depth discussions of how to learn tunes, introductions to new time signatures, and a more in-depth look at important musical styles.
The Complete Mandolinist is the most comprehensive American mandolin method to be published in nearly a century. Written by Marilynn Mair, internationally acclaimed mandolinist, recording artist and teacher for over two decades, this book presents a logical approach to mandolin technique that builds on the pioneering efforts of America's mandolin teachers of the early 20th century.Starting with a foundation in basic technique and music reading, the book progresses, in the course of its 224 pages, through scales, arpeggios, tremolo, position work, shifting, rhythm studies, picking techniques and duo-style, with carefully selected exercises and musical examples that range from fiddle tunes and Brazilian choro to Vivaldi concertos and Beethoven sonatinas. the method reflects the wealth of musical knowledge Marilynn has acquired over the course of her distinguished career, and she has compiled it here for you, to encourage the versatility and intelligent musicianship you will need to become a more complete mandolinist.
This book establishes a foundation for complete mandolin musicianship, both in terms of music literacy as well as having the ability to jam with other musicians without reading music. The student logically begins by learning the “basic” fingering pattern used for the mandolin-friendly keys of A and D as shown in diagram form and standard notation. Tablature reading is lightly addressed, but not at the same time as note reading so the student avoids using tab as a crutch. A generous repertoire of progressively arranged exercises, fiddle tunes, a Bach bourrée, and folk and blues songs is included, often with online recordings and rarely seen complete lyrics. At this point, the book begins to diverge from its didactic approach to pure fun! As each new major key is introduced (G, C, F and E), the student learns the remaining principal scale finger patterns as well as a considerable amount of practical music theory covering pentatonic and modal scales and much more. Fittingly, the book closes with a dictionary of essential chords and a glossary to aid in further development as a versatile mandolinist.
A new book on improvisation is now available for bluegrass mandolin players. Based on the concept of learning by playing, this 200 page book covers a wide range of improvisation tools and how to implement them in your playing. A large number of examples are presented in both tablature and standard notation, so that a theoretical background is not required. the small amount of theory needed is simply presented and easily learned step by step.A series of exercises designed to help the player develop improvisational skills are included in the book. As an instruction tool, the book can easily be combined with the instructor's individual philosophy or by a student wishing to study alone. the subject matter is varied in difficulty and can be used by both the beginner and more advanced player as an instructional guide and reference book. the major-themes in the book are: the pentatonic sound, scale and major-chord based improvising with any Bluegrass-Tune, Double-stop improvisation, Minor chords and Keys, the blues sound, Melody oriented improvisation, How to use: Monroe Style, Cross picking, Hot licks, how to simplify a lick, and more. MP3 CD accompanies book featuring all examples.Click to hear the author discuss the book.
With the thoroughness of a book by Mel Bay, this method presents mandolin technique and note-reading in a progressive, step-by-step fashion. Given the diverse applications of this versatile instrument, this method was carefully written to build the musicianship and technique needed to play both classical and contemporary mandolin styles. Music theory concepts and additional playing techniques are introduced as needed. Exercises and tunes are presented in all keys, many in duet format to be played by teacher and student. In notation only.
Brazilian Choro: A Method for Mandolin focuses on teaching bandolim technique for playing Choro. the combination of method book and CD offers a great opportunity to add performance practice to the black-and-white notes on the page. the book, presented in both English and Portuguese, is written for two different groups-Brazilians learning to play bandolim in the Choro tradition, and non-Brazilians who play other styles and want to learn Choro. Mr. Sá, a native Carioca who as played Choro since childhood, understands Choro intuitively and brings a Brazilian perspective to the project. Ms. Mair, a classical mandolinist who has spent much of the past four years refining her Choro technique in Rio, brings an outsider's viewpoint, recognizing the subtle distinctions that make Choro style unique. Together these renowned performers and university professors have created a pathway to help you play Choro with a true Carioca accent. Music presented in standard notation.
In this book, Ray Valla shares the insights of a veteran bluegrass mandolinist. This method would best be appreciated by a student with some previous musical experience, as fundamentals of note-reading on the mandolin are not addressed. This is, however, the ideal book for the intermediate to advanced player. It is filled with practical hints to improve your general musicianship and increase the speed of your progress. for example, Ray suggests learning a new tune by mastering its individual licks before attempting to assemble the whole. the book's 27 well-known bluegrass tunes are shown in standard notation and tablature with arrows indicating picking direction. Illustrated with photographs, charts and diagrams.
The final book in this power-packed mandolin method continues with a study of advanced harmonies and provides mandolin chord forms in all twelve keys. In-depth studies of important forms such as the 12-bar blues and "rhythm changes" are included as well as chord/melody playing and chord substitution. The book also takes an exhaustive approach to melodic studies, covering the modes of the major scale, the pentatonic scales, the chromatic scale, the whole-tone scale and improvisation.
