The Tottle Book . . .

**jbennett451** · Sep-02-2009, 7:43pm

Alright, so I've picked up the mandolin again after about eight years, looking to actually learn it this time. First time around was a lot of trying to run before I could walk.

This time, I thought I'd start of working on the basics (scales, arpeggios, double stops, etc), and round things out building my repertoire of fiddle tunes. Anyhow, I picked up my old copy of Jack Tottle's Bluegrass Mandolin book, and started running through some of the tunes he's got in there, and I realized that, while nice, a lot of the arrangements really don't seem to be "typical" versions of the songs (cf Soilder's Joy). Apart from that, I really like book, but I'd rather get the basics and learn the embellishments latter.

Any thoughts on this?

**AlanN** · Sep-02-2009, 7:46pm

For 'purer' versions of tunes, get Steve Kaufman's Parking Lot Picker book. Has all the common numbers, in their bare-bones versions, then has more ornate versions. Good book to increase tune database.

**fatt-dad** · Sep-03-2009, 7:54am

tabedit files at www.mandozine.com are another great resource. Also, the Mandolin Fakebook has a great collection of tunes.

f-d

**swampstomper** · Sep-03-2009, 9:08am

Tottle is taking a bluegrass approach to those tunes. Also, he simplifies the earlier ones to make them easier for the beginner.

And for Soldier's Joy, you can find lots of "standard" arrangements, it's been around a long time and there are strong regional variations.

**Don Whitener** · Sep-03-2009, 11:14am

Originally Posted by AlanN

For 'purer' versions of tunes, get Steve Kaufman's Parking Lot Picker book. Has all the common numbers, in their bare-bones versions, then has more ornate versions. Good book to increase tune database.

Do you mean this one by Dix Bruce?

**AlanN** · Sep-03-2009, 11:35am

That looks like a good book, but the one I cited is (I think) called Bluegrass Mandolin Solos That Every Parking Lot Picker Should Know. Steve Kaufman did this for Homespun. Forked Deer, Soldier's Joy, Ragtime Annie, etc. He does each number three times - bare-bones melody, a bit fancier, then a bit more improvised solo.