Beginning Classical mandolin

[nickster60]

I would like to play some classical tunes. Could you recommend some arrangements that are good for starting out.

[August Watters]

Might be a good idea to start with a book to lead you through a progression of pieces. I like Marilynn Mair's "The Complete Mandolinist."
http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Bay-presen.../dp/0786677260

[Freddyfingers]

They offer a bunch of tabs here in the lessons section.

[nickster60]

I found some old Suzuki violins books had and that should give me a start.

[JeffD]

Suzuki violin books are a great way to go.

[bohemianbiker]

This (the Marilynn Mair book) is what my instructor had me start out with, and I also liked it. bb

[nickster60]

I forgot I even had the Suzuki books. My Eastman sounds pretty good playing classical. It has a certain brightness my Weber doesn't.

[Bartk1448]

There are several classical mandolin methods available for free at imslp.org. browse by instrumentation/genre and choose mandolin. I am new to mandolin too and I use the Cristofaro method with accompanying etudes. It also helps to watch YouTube videos to get clarification on technique.

[John Zimm]

There are a few free pieces for mandolin by Giovanni Gioviale here: http://www.federmandolino.it/spartiti.htm about halfway down the page. There is also the ubiquitous Bach Cello Suites arranged for violin which I believe are on IMSLP here: http://conquest.imslp.info/files/img...our_Violon.pdf.

[Jim Garber]

There are a few free pieces for mandolin by Giovanni Gioviale here: http://www.federmandolino.it/spartiti.htm about halfway down the page. There is also the ubiquitous Bach Cello Suites arranged for violin which I believe are on IMSLP here: http://conquest.imslp.info/files/img...our_Violon.pdf.

The Giovale pieces I would not consider for the beginner and aren't really classical anyway, but they are good music. The cello suites transcribed are useful as etudes. I also like the "35 Progressive Etudes for Mandolin" by Sol Goichberg tho I think they are out of print.

[Beanzy]

You may want to check out the mandolin solo page of Astute Music website.

I've bought quite a few pieces from them and have been really happy.
Their current editor is Barbara Pommerenke-Steel and she's following on from the amazing work the Alison Stephens did there.
I really like the range of abilities it covers.

(I'm just a happy shopper with no connection to them)

[John Zimm]

The Giovale pieces I would not consider for the beginner and aren't really classical anyway, but they are good music. The cello suites transcribed are useful as etudes. I also like the "35 Progressive Etudes for Mandolin" by Sol Goichberg tho I think they are out of print.

I'm not sure what "useful as etudes" means. I find them really satisfying pieces of music to play. There is a wide array of difficulty to them as well.

[Jim Garber]

Yes, they are satisfying but I was talking about playing them at beginner's level -- like slowly. No one ever said that etudes should be boring and inferior pieces of music. Just my 2 cents anyway.

[John Zimm]

Yes, they are satisfying but I was talking about playing them at beginner's level -- like slowly. No one ever said that etudes should be boring and inferior pieces of music. Just my 2 cents anyway.

Oh, I get it. I was just confused. I saw the guy who asked about this has been a forum member for several years, I just figured that meant he'd not be a total beginner.

[crisscross]

You may want to check out the mandolin solo page of Astute Music website.

I've bought quite a few pieces from them and have been really happy.
Their current editor is Barbara Pommerenke-Steel and she's following on from the amazing work the Alison Stephens did there.
I really like the range of abilities it covers.

Barbara Pommerenke-Steel also published a nice collection of beginner/intermediate level solo mandolin pieces.
You can download "Reflections" here:https://www.astute-music.com/store/p...nke-Steel.html

Here's what the publisher says about the book:
REFLECTIONS, six pieces for solo mandolin, is a collection of short pieces which have been composed with specific musical or technical aspects in mind. This book utilizes many commonly used mandolin techniques including: legato tremolo, stroking patterns, arpeggio technique, chords and harmonics in highly attractive, accessible and rewarding pieces for the Intermediate player (approx. Grades 2-3).

For the last month, I didn't play much else.
I especially like the fact, that the pieces make sense heard without accompaniment.