Looking for mando arrangements of Jewish music, prayers

Hi all,

Has anyone come across mandolin arrangements to traditional Jewish songs/prayers? I'm thinking "Hebrew School/Synagogue" stuff - such as Mah To Vu, Adon Olam, etc... I belong to a little temple and the Sunday school principal asked if I wanted to provide some musical accompaniments to his guitar sometime. I'm a pretty unskilled beginner mandolin player but it seems like a doable feat. Just wondering if anyone has encountered similar works and if there are materials available.

Thanks in advance!

Take a look at this Google search.

I used to play in my synagogue band and we had our own arrangements. We did play one Klezmer tune but, for the most part, we accompanied the Cantor or the choir with std tunes that were used in the service like those mentioned above. You don't say whether you read music or not, but there should be lead sheets for these tunes available or perhaps the principal can arrange some for you.

I found this site with some sheet music.

You might also consider looking at violin/fiddle music. I know the Kol Nidre played in my synagogue when I was a kid was done as a fiddle solo and I specifically recall seeing the musician (one of our elderly doctors) with music stand and music. That whole 'fiddler on the roof' thing, you know. just a thought.

Thanks everyone for your input. I am a poor reader of music but could probably figure some stuff out. If I come up with anything interesting, I'll post it as a tabledit file ok?

I have music for a few. Ill try to post them before Shabbat, but no promises.

OK, so it took me a week. Been busy with stuff.

Take a look at this website. jewishguitarchords.com It's all chords, not a note of standard musical notation, but just what you were looking for.

A great site . . . If anything, it's too much.

I think he was looking for some mandolin tab arrangements of these songs. Also, I would think that the arrangements might not coincide with his principals. I would still say to coordinate with the principal and work out arrangements that way. I know that there are differences in arrangements for tunes depending on the synagogue and there are some tunes that have modern arrangements. Plus you also need to transpose most likely to whatever the singers or choirs keys.

Yes but all good info. Thanks guys!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jim Garber

I think he was looking for some mandolin tab arrangements of these songs. Also, I would think that the arrangements might not coincide with his principals. I would still say to coordinate with the principal and work out arrangements that way. I know that there are differences in arrangements for tunes depending on the synagogue and there are some tunes that have modern arrangements. Plus you also need to transpose most likely to whatever the singers or choirs keys.

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Good afternoon,

Wondering if you ever found these arrangements. Like you (or like you were in 2013), I am a beginner. Would love some mando arrangements for SAturday morning services!

Many thanks

Check out Andy Statman's albums, www.andystatman.org. His record, Songs of our Fathers, with David Grisman, might have something you can use.

Jeff Warschauer did a klezmer-oriented guitar and mandolin album, The Singing Waltz, and has also played with the Klezmer Conservatory Band. Additional info here. Might be a useful source for by-ear learning.

Just to clarify one thing. The OP and at least one person recently was looking for arrangements or sources of Jewish liturgical music. Klezmer, while influenced by that genre (and quite a few others) is Jewish music, but not usually part of a Jewish service. It is more of a joyous and secular music, although there is a bit of crossover. it is also very specific music from eastern Europe vs. other secular Jewish music like Sephardic. All good stuff but not what the OP was looking for.