Re: Method Book Recommendations
Of the suggestions mentioned above, and considering your goals, I'd suggest perhaps the beginning Rich Del Grosso method book. It uses mostly old-time traditional music to illustrate ideas, but I think you'll find it useful in finding ways to play chords that complement the guitar player's chords in the music you're doing. It will also teach you to read music quickly and easily, which will help you with communicating with the other musicians.
The other one I'd recommend is the Mel Bay Mandolin Method, which will show you how the fingerboard is laid out, and how to read music. I like to use this book with beginners who aren't interested in bluegrass.
Either Marilynn's book or the Jethro book might be a good step after that. And the chord charts mentioned above will help jump start your playing too -- just look for ones that tell you how to connect one chord to the most likely next chord in the key you're in -- rather than the charts that give you a million possibilities to work through. Good luck!
Exploring Classical Mandolin (Berklee Press, 2015)
Progressive Melodies for Mandocello (KDP, 2019) (2nd ed. 2022)
New Solos for Classical Mandolin (Hal Leonard Press, 2020)
2021 guest artist, mandocello: Classical Mandolin Society of America
Bookmarks