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Thread: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

  1. #1

    Smile Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    Hi, Can anyone advise please.
    I can read music for the piano accordion and I learnt to read music the traditional way. I did not learn by using TABS. Is there a book that teaches mandolin music that does not use TABS. Thank you in advance.
    Last edited by clownhall; May-22-2020 at 6:43am. Reason: bad spelling

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    Registered User Jon Hall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    Most, if not all,all, of the books I own have both. Will that work for you or is the tab a distraction that you're trying to avoid?

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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    Quote Originally Posted by Jon Hall View Post
    Most, if not all,all, of the books I own have both. Will that work for you or is the tab a distraction that you're trying to avoid?
    Just curious - are those books mostly for Bluegrass, roots music, etc.?

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    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    I think Marilyn Mair’s “The Complete Mandolinist” is standard notation only, but am just remembering that through Cafe discussion, so, apologies if I’m incorrect. This book gets some complimentary feedback on this site, FWIW.
    Chuck

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    Registered User Louise NM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    Quote Originally Posted by CES View Post
    I think Marilyn Mair’s “The Complete Mandolinist” is standard notation only, but am just remembering that through Cafe discussion, so, apologies if I’m incorrect. This book gets some complimentary feedback on this site, FWIW.
    True, this book is notation only. No matter what genre one is interested in, this book is full of scales and exercises that are well worth your time.

  9. #7

    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    Hi Jon
    I'm happy to look at any tutor books that combine using both tradition music with TABS. It's just that I've been taught to read music for the accordion. I'm really looking for guidance in trying to understand how mandolin music is presented. Everywhere else on internet its showing every piece of music using TABS.

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    Registered User Jon Hall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    Mostly but Dix Bruce has mandolin books that contain other genera: jazz standards, celtic and world music.

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    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    You didn’t mention a genre, but if the music you’re finding is “only tabs” I assume you’re looking for/finding some type of folk music? If so, you might consider using the Tabledit program, because (1) large libraries of music exist in that format, and (2) you can show either or both (std & or Tab) as you desire and (3) you can easily write your own music with it.
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    Pittsburgh Bill
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    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    Try Alberts Learn to Play Mandolin. Very easy to do and certainly not rocket science. I experimented with Tab and found it cumbersome and nearly impossible to sight read. At least for me. Also, for tunes I had never heard I could not get it.
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    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    If you're into folk tunes you can go to Nigel gatherer's wonderful collections and choose the standard notation option.
    http://www.nigelgatherer.com/tunes/tow.html He really has put an absolute gem of a site together there.

    You can also go to http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/ and choose the genre

    For Scandinavian tunes try https://bluerose.karenlmyers.org/wp/

    Then for a great collection of compositions and learning materials https://www.astute-music.com/store/c8/Mandolin.html#/
    Eoin



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    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    Hi David KOS
    Thank you for this brilliant information and links. Am I allowed to print them of, if so, how do I do this. I can't find the print button. The one thats caught my eye is the National Self Teach. The other links areally good but this one catches my eye.

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    Registered User Billy Packard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    Also pretty much any music for the violin is easy to read on the mandolin. There are many avenues to go down there. For example, my mate Alexis has got us doing some of Mazart's piano - violin sonatas and they are really fun!

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    Yes, violin music and I believe that flute music is also in the same range. There are free downloads for many classical pieces on IMSLP.org. Also our friend Michael in Germany has many older mandolin methods some with free download links here.
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  22. #15

    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    Hi Beanzi
    I have found Nigel Gatherer tutorial to be very good. Thank you for pointing me in his direction. I have 2 source of tutorials now, yours and "National Self Teacher"
    Thank you and very best regards
    Norman

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    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    I read music also (started with piano,) and at times find TAB annoying. At times it can be useful though, as sometimes I have difficulty figuring out the most efficient fingering for a passage, and in that case TAB can be useful (as in the best way to get from "here" to "there.") I too like "the Complete Mandolinist," and highly recommend it.

  24. #17
    Scroll Lock Austin Bob's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reading mandolin music score by NOT using TABS

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Gunter View Post
    You didn’t mention a genre, but if the music you’re finding is “only tabs” I assume you’re looking for/finding some type of folk music? If so, you might consider using the Tabledit program, because (1) large libraries of music exist in that format, and (2) you can show either or both (std & or Tab) as you desire and (3) you can easily write your own music with it.
    Another vote for TablEdit. If you don't know how to read standard notation, it's a great way to learn. You can pick an easy tune you know, and slow it way down. There's also practice exercises in different keys.

    But if you're like the OP, who already reads, there's a large sampling of tunes with standard notation. I also want to mention Mandolessons.com. It's a great website with lots of tunes and play along tracks. He posts both tabs and standard notation for the songs. It's a free site, but he does accept donations.
    A quarter tone flat and a half a beat behind.

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