Reccomend a good Mel Bay book

[B381]

That Mel Bay discount banner just keeps popping up....

Advanced beginner, can read notation and tab, pick up songs fairly quickly, using pinky pretty efficiently.

So, whats a good book?

[Louise NM]

What kind of music do you like?

[Doug Brock]

That Mel Bay discount banner just keeps popping up....

Advanced beginner, can read notation and tab, pick up songs fairly quickly, using pinky pretty efficiently.

So, whats a good book?

I recommend "The Mandolin Picker's Guide to Bluegrass Improvisation." (And even though it says, "Bluegrass," it seems like the content would be useful for other musical styles too. Well, maybe not ideal for jazz players, lol.) At the moment, this is my "if I could only have one mandolin book..." choice. Starts out with the basics but slowly works through to double stops, cross picking, Monroe style, etc. Focus isn't on learning licks, but on learning to improvise. I have the book in my lunch bag at this very moment!

[Seter]

Not a mandolin book but I just ordered the Doug Young Fiddle Tunes in DADGAD book from Mel Bay. His book of Christmas songs for DADGAD guitar is very nice.

[Ranald]

I'm surprised how little response this query has had. Bruce Dix's First Lessons Mandolin is good, with traditional tunes from various genres. However, you may be past this level. I found Joe's Carr's School of Mandolin Blues quite helpful -- but that's if you're into playing blues, which most mandolin players aren't. Joe Carr has other non-blues Mel Bay books too. I'd think anything by him is a safe bet. Both books have notation and tab, as well as a CD or an MP3 link.

[Jim Garber]

I'm surprised how little response this query has had.

I think many people are waiting for the OP to tell us what kind of music he/she likes. Some fols just assume that everyone is looking for bluegrass but that is not always the case.

[doublestoptremolo]

If you like bluegrass Todd Collins’ Classic Bluegrass Mandolin Solos is great. All Monroe stuff from the 50s through 60s I think.

[B381]

Honestly, I like it all. My speed is not bluegrass worthy at this point. So I stick with fiddle tunes that I find online. Thanks for all the responses.

[Eric L]

There's quite a variety in this book, folk, Italian, classical themes, Irish, old time, blues and other International music:
https://www.melbay.com/Products/9395...lin-music.aspx

[Jim Garber]

Not sure about books but whatever you end up ideally they should also have some audio files to reference. Or else just listen to good players on CD or YouTube playing the tunes you like and work on the phrasing. Get yourself a slowdown software or use YouTube to do so and Lear by ear rather than notation or tab.

I guess the further question to you is what do you need to work on? Playing slower is fine but accuracy of noting and good phrasing depending on the genre s important.

[Blues Healer]

Honestly, I like it all. My speed is not bluegrass worthy at this point. So I stick with fiddle tunes that I find online. Thanks for all the responses.

http://ericskye.com/fiddle-tunes-page/

[Seter]

If you have a few idle moments, read the Wikipedia article on Mel Bay. He did play the mandolin amongst other instruments. He had an interesting life, would be interesting to read more about him.

[KoalaBear]

I recommend "The Mandolin Picker's Guide to Bluegrass Improvisation." (And even though it says, "Bluegrass," it seems like the content would be useful for other musical styles too. Well, maybe not ideal for jazz players, lol.) At the moment, this is my "if I could only have one mandolin book..." choice. Starts out with the basics but slowly works through to double stops, cross picking, Monroe style, etc. Focus isn't on learning licks, but on learning to improvise. I have the book in my lunch bag at this very moment!

Does the paperback edition arrive with a CD?

Tan

[Louise NM]

I just ordered three before the sale ends at midnight. All in the classical vein, 'cause that's just what kind of a nerd I am. Marilynn Mair's 100 Etudes, one on French Baroque (Marin Marais) and one of James Oswald pieces, kind of Scottish Baroque-era stuff.

[Jim Garber]

Does the paperback edition arrive with a CD?

Tan

Online audio - that mostly how they do it in this century.

The Mandolin Picker's Guide to Bluegrass Improvisation (Book + Online Audio)

[Doug Brock]

Does the paperback edition arrive with a CD?

Tan

My copy has a CD.

[Louise NM]

Seems to depend on the book. One I ordered a year or so ago came with a CD, others have not.

[Jim Garber]

I would guess that when they reprint it they dispense with the expense and extra trouble of including a CD. My Marilynn Mair book of techniques and exercises has online audio.

[KoalaBear]

My copy has a CD.

NutPicker,

Yours is a recent copy from where?

[Doug Brock]

NutPicker,

Yours is a recent copy from where?

BareKoala, I've had this book two or three years. I don't remember for sure where I bought it, but probably from Amazon.

[Doug Brock]

Used copy of "Mandolin Picker's Guide to Bluegrass Improvisation," with CD.

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-ma.../all-editions/

[Jim Garber]

I am not sure why you need a CD. You can download the mp3 files and then burn a CD from your computer. Unless you don't have a computer or can't burn CDs?

[B381]

Used copy of "Mandolin Picker's Guide to Bluegrass Improvisation," with CD.

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-ma.../all-editions/

Two recommendations.....ordered the used book.

[KoalaBear]

My copy has a CD.

Going with the Kindle version for now.Thanks.