bluegrass mandolin standards bible?

[jwhite]

I am looking for the most comprehensive bluegrass mandolin standards book for the money. I have Bert Casey's primer for technique and now I want a straight shooting book with most of the classic songs: Old Joe Clark, Pig in a Pen, Roll in Sweet Baby's Arms, Salt Creek etc. Via web, I've seen Mel Bay's Anthology of mandolin music, 101 Red Hot Bluegrass Mandolin Licks and Solos etc. Which do I choose? I just want to be able to have a crutch for my attempt at some jam sessions. Any suggestions welcomed.
thanks so much,
jason white

[Mandodoc]

The "Big Bluegrass Songbook" has over 600 songs in it and can be obtained from Joe Shallow email joeshallow@comcast.net it's got a ton of stuff, it's just words and chords. Another huge selection was at http://miss.wu-wien.ac.at/~schoenf/docs/bsh-v4.pdf another about 600 songs this time words and the Nashville Numbering System, again some very good songs as well (and free for the downloading.)
I have a serious case of CRS so I need all the help/songs I can get.
Have fun.
jon

[August Watters]

The examples you give are of two different categories: bluegrass vocal songs, and fiddle tunes.

The best bluegrass songbook I know is the "Bluegrass Songbook" by Pete Wernick. It comes with clever all-purpose tablature that may be read on guitar, banjo or dobro (sorry, not mandolin). It's also legal so the authors have been paid, unlike most of what's available.

The best, most focused fiddle tune reference I know is Steve Kaufman's "Four-Hour Bluegrass Workout."

The Mel Bay anthology will be good for a broad view of different styles, but it's not a bluegrass reference. The Hot Licks book would be good for vocabulary, but IMHO is not the most direct way to prepare for sessions -- if you learn all the tunes in the Four-Hour Workout, you'll be well-prepared for jam sessions -- although you'll also probably want a reference for the most common Bill Monroe tunes, too -- such as the Bill Monroe - 16 Gems.

August Watters
http://www.galleryofstrings.com

[RobP]

I got the Fiddler's Fake book out of our local library a couple of weeks ago -- that thing is packed full of almost all the tunes I want to learn, plus tons more. Unfortunately I had to give it back http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I put it on my bday list for May http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

It is standard-notation only, though.

Cheers,

Rob

[VaFrank]

Mandodoc,

I don't understand the Nashville numbering system on the second website that you listed. Can you help?

Frank

[blammo]

Here's a pretty good link for explaining the Nashville Number System:

http://www.guitarnotes.com/alan/ah_nashville_numbers.shtml

Basically it refers to the chord changes numerically…(a G/C/D progression in the key of G is written 1/4/5 …this allows you to think of the song in terms of the intervals between the chord changes. This helps when you have to transpose keys…it also helps when your guitar player slaps on a capo, but still calls an "A" chord a "G" chord! LOL

[jom]

All of those are great books, but I just wanted to put in a plug for the Mandolin Picker's fakebook. Its just like the fiddler's one, except with tab http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

...which of course will help you LEARN standard-notation ;)

[VaFrank]

Thanks Blammo.

[Mandodoc]

Thanks for taking that one Blammo.
VaFrank, it is a pretty easy system.
You can even get half way tricky, for instance take Salty Dog, it is
1 67 27 27
57 57 1 1
which would be (in G)
G E7 A7 A7
D7 D7 G G
You can add flats and minors to the numbers as well, you get the idea.
jon

[Jeff Baldwin]

Jack #Tuttle has two blugrass mandolin books....


http://www.jacktuttle.com/Books/Booksindex.html

[Walter]

I'd suggest "The 4 Hour Bluegrass Workout" by Steve Kaufman. 4 CDs and about 50 Bluegrass Standards and Fiddle tunes. I think it has all the songs your looking for.