I know it's WAY ...WAY..too early..but,

**mandomansuetude** · Sep-30-2009, 10:08pm

Can anyone recommend a good collection of Christmas mandolin solos in standard notation.
" Peace on earth and good will toward mandolin players."

Wm.

**OldSausage** · Sep-30-2009, 10:15pm

God rest ye merry Mandoman, let nothing you dismay.

**Mandoviol** · Sep-30-2009, 10:17pm

Technically in piano notation (which is doable on pretty much all instruments) but really fun to play is the Christmas Revels Song Book. A lot of really old tunes that sound pretty cool on mandolin, ranging from music of the British Isles to America, with French Canadian and old Latin and German tunes, too. It's quite the smorgasbord...

**Mandoblab** · Sep-30-2009, 10:29pm

Greetings William,

Roland White provides some fine arrangements in his book, "Roland White's Mandolin Christmas." The traditional tunes are written in both notation and tab. It comes with a CD of Roland doing the tunes as well, all for $19.95.

I bought a copy after Christmas last year and have just pulled it out this week to start on it. It certainly is not too early for me. I will need the practice. But I am sure I will drive those in the house nuts, just like the Christmas MUZAC in the malls starting around Halloween!

You can order it directly from Roland's website at:

http://www.rolandwhite.com

An Early Merry Christmas to You,
Mandoblab

**Rob Brown** · Sep-30-2009, 10:58pm

How about Butch Baldassari's Evergreen, Mandolin Music for Christmas. I just got mine out yesterday. It is a Mel Bay publication. My copy has tab and notation.

**Don Whitener** · Sep-30-2009, 10:59pm

You may want to check ou Allan Alexander's Christmas Music for Mandolin Book. I have not seen this particular book, but several of his other books that I have seen are excellent. He also has a Christmas duet book for Mandolin and Guitar.

**JoeD** · Sep-30-2009, 11:44pm

It is never too early. Check out Steve Kaufman's A Smokey Mt. Christmas too, especially if you have a guitar player who's interested in playing along too. Steve has them with complementary parts for guitar and mando.

**JEStanek** · Oct-01-2009, 7:42am

I have, and can recommend both Butch's Evergreen and Allan's Christmas book. Allan's book comes with a CD as well. If you can borrow a hymnal from your church you can use the top line of the music for the mandolin too (or throw in some color notes too).

Jamie

**Dave Weiss** · Oct-01-2009, 8:23pm

After reading this thread last night I dug out the Mandolin Christmas Songbook by Lee Andrews, all the basics in notation and tab. This is a real simple book and I'm not recommending it, but I started playing the songs and breezed through the book. Last year I struggled through the book. WOW, I really am making progress.
You might find a good selection of Christmas solos for violin

Merry Christmas,

**Ivan Kelsall** · Oct-01-2009, 11:53pm

Last year,i contented myself & fulfilled my Christmas mando.obligations by playing a tremolo version of "White Christmas"- this year i'll do the same,but i'll play more 'correct' notes !!,
Ivan

**Manfred Hacker** · Oct-02-2009, 1:58am

I bought the "Christmas Carols for Mandolin" last year and some of the arrangements with lots of double stops are really nice, IMHO. NFI.

http://www.elderly.com/books/items/49-699800.htm

Manfred

**mandroid** · Oct-02-2009, 10:26am

The (what's your)Ear Worm was another thread, Christmas Music is My Ear Worm ,
didn't really study it, as much as had it work it's way into my head , and sometimes It goes from subconscious to conscious,
and then out thru the muscle memory. [at least in G, a default key, it seems]

**Rick Schmidlin** · Oct-02-2009, 11:44am

Roland Whites book is a must!

**Dan Hoover** · Oct-02-2009, 12:32pm

Christmas mandolin music???

already??? what happened to Halloween mandolin music...

...it keeps getting earlier and earlier every year...not like when i was a kid..
actually great thread..i've been thinking about picking up a christmas book...i can play a mean sloppy version of "silent night"...could use some improvement...i see some great looking suggestions above...thanks

**AlanN** · Oct-02-2009, 12:37pm

Originally Posted by Dan Hoover

i can play a mean sloppy version of "silent night

or better yet, play Nilent Sight by FW, bound to open up yer ears!

For books, many of those above are great selections. For listening pleasure, pick up Butch and NME 'Gifts', which has a great version of Sleigh Ride, with very hip mandolin solos by Aubrey Haynie and Richard Kriehn. Many years ago, I asked John M. to transcribe these awesome breaks. He did a fantastic job, capturing the nuances of these two great pickers.

**Perry** · Oct-02-2009, 12:52pm

Some of you may be sick of seeing me post this but here goes anyway

My chord melody arrangement of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
At least it's free.

**Matt DeBlass** · Oct-02-2009, 6:04pm

It's not too early to think Christmas! Heck, I'm making my arrangements for St. Paddy's day already!

In the mean time, there are a couple of good suggestions here, that I'll have to check out (possibly, you know, for NEXT Christmas

)

**David Lloyd** · Oct-02-2009, 6:40pm

I have several, but the one that I like the best was from Jay Buckey. it is down loadable and has Practice tracks to play along with. Actually your running late on this project. I started practicing right after last Christmas.
Dave
http://www.jaybuckey.com/mandolin.htm
scroll to the bottom

**JEStanek** · Oct-02-2009, 6:49pm

I should add, there are some great FREE tunes on MandoZine that can be had. You'll need to download the FREE TablEdit Viewer.

Jamie

**Eddie Sheehy** · Oct-02-2009, 10:00pm

I've started a Christmas Tunes thread in the Song A Week Social Group. Let's hear what you play for Christmas... and that means you and not every youtube vid you can find...

**mugbucket** · Oct-20-2009, 2:59pm

I just ordered "Christmas Carols for Mandolin" (Hal Leonard) from Amazon to top off an order for free shipping (seemed like a good idea at the time!). I'll let ya know when it arrives.

Ski

Eastman 615