Ted Eschliman - Getting Into Jazz Mandolin

By Mandolin Cafe
September 25, 2008 - 6:15 pm

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Ted Eschliman - Getting Into Jazz Mandolin. Click to enlarge

Pacific, Mo. — Mel Bay Publications, Inc. has announced the release of Ted Eschliman's new book, Getting Into Jazz Mandolin, 112-pages complete with music in standard notation, tablature, CD and web-based audio samples from JazzMando.com, Eschliman's personal mandolin web site.

No longer confined to basic folk genres, any mandolinist aspiring to a broader comprehension of music, including swing, blues, pop, choro, broadway, and even classical can expand their playing through a working knowledge of jazz fundamentals.

Getting Into Jazz Mandolin takes four uncomplicated fretboard patterns (FFcP) and drills a physical familiarity into the player's fingers, softening the fear of upper frets and prepares for the harmonic alterations necessary for effective and intuitive playing of more complex contemporary music.

A brief introduction into modes, the player is eased into jamming with audio accompaniment (CD), and eventually an initiation into the most fundamental jazz chord progression of all, the 'ii V7 I' pattern. From the horizontal (melody) to the vertical (chords) and back, the results are a both instinctive and physical grasp of tonal centers and the improvisational fodder of effective performing.

An emphasis on pinky strength, finger control and sustain, the book's exercises also develop the player's concepts of tone and melody. Further supportive resources including MP3 audio tracks are also available on the internet.

Purchase: From author
Purchase: From Elderly

Note: the author is offering autographed copies from his web site for an additional $10 fee, which will be donated to Laura Leder's Cool Mandolins for Kids Program.