Books

[Rob Uker]

A couple of weeks ago I asked a few questions about inexpensive mandolins. Thanks to all of the responders.
I ended up purchasing an Epiphone "A" style I'm expecting it any day now.
My next question is about where I can find tabs on the net and what books you would recommend. While I'm new to mandolin I not completely new to playing stringed instruments. I play guitar, bass, ukulele... So I'm not looking for the most basic books. What I'm looking for is an intro to bluegrass. I'm partial to finger solos. I've played alot of rock and blues on other instruments but I've never really learned anything about Bluegrass.
Any suggestions? #
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[MASadict]

There are many, but here is a good one to use, some tabs and some lessons. #Mel Bay mandolin lessons (http://www.mandolinsessions.com/index.html)

[tkdboyd]

http://www.mandozine.com/techniques/
As for a book: Jack Tottle's Bluegrass Mandolin over 30yrs old but still a great resource!

[MandoSquirrel]

Tottle is a bit advanced for beginners, though. Given that, however, it's what I started with, but Statman's "Teach yourself..." book later was a big help; it might be better for starting out. Roland White's "Approach to Bluegrass Mandolin" book/CD is pretty good, & Dix Bruce has a book that sounds good, but I haven't seen it, so I don't know.

I believe that you don't need to spend any money on books if you're online, there's lots of free stuff; here, Mandozine, & Jazz Mando, for instance. Of course, that doesn't stop me buying more books, they can be as addictive as mandolins.

Once you get comfortable enough to chomp at the bit to improvise, Niles Hokkanen has some great stuff, specifically "Bluegrass Up The Neck" & "Pentatonic Mandolin", & the Bestest chord book, only one you'll ever need.

[Gene Bragg]

MandoUniversity.com has a good beginners book and its free except for the cost of ink and printer paper. Bradley Laird is the proprieter and has quarterly news letters that you can download. Also has a Mandolin Handbook that I bought that has helped me understand maintanance on the mando. I'm new at this also so I need all the help I can find to play my mando. But nothing helps better than taking lessons from a reputable teacher.