This beginner's book designed as a follow-up to Fun with the Mandolin aids the beginning mandolin player in playing strums applicable to folk and bluegrass music. A variety of keys are studied and the student will gainversatility in playing chord progressions. Chords and songs are presented in the keys of G E minor C A minor D E A F and D minor. Songs include: 'Shady Grove' 'Old Joe Clark' 'Amazing Grace' 'Banks of the Ohio' andmany more. May be used in ensemble playing with the companion guitar and banjo texts.

Joining a jam session can be intimidating. Presented here is everything a beginning or intermediate Mandolin player needs to know to participate in a jam session. There are sections that describe how jam sessions work and jamsession etiquette. The book also describes the typical chords and keys for jamming and describes right hand usage. A section is included on the role each instrument plays in bluegrass rhythm. A play-along audio is included with 9typical bluegrass jam tunes. The tunes are played twice: once with the tune played on the left channel and a verbal description on the right channel and once in stereo. Audio download available online.

Most of the music in this book comes from editions or manuscripts from England in the late 1500’s. There are also a few French pieces. The cittern was popular in Italy England and France. Aside from various tunings there weretwo main kinds of instruments being played during the 16th and 17th centuries: the 4 course (four sets of doubled strings) and the 6 course cittern with several editions of music to go along with both. The pieces I have chosenfor this book were all written for the 4 course instrument and fall into three main categories: dance music song arrangements and free pieces. The free pieces are basically preludes that explore the melodic range of theinstrument. As the title suggests these pieces can be played very freely and need not have a very strict tempo. The dance pieces are not really meant to be danced to but rather take their form and rhythm from the popular courtdances of the time. These can be played with a wide range of overall tempo but once a tempo is chosen should be strictly adhered to. The song arrangements are settings of popular songs of the time as well as more formal vocalsettings. Care should be taken in making the melody clear and singing. Since the range of the cittern and mandolin are the same John Holenko has kept the melodies intact. Because of the difference in tuning however thevoicing of the harmonies have been changed so as to fit on the mandolin.

Fine mandolin solo arrangements in notation and tablature reflecting styles of the great country and bluegrass soloists. Contains 53 solos. Selections include Soldier's Joy Chinese Breakdown Sandburgh Hornpipe Northlake Reel Send the Light Gospel Train Sonny's Side and more!

Get started playing with all the basics. Easy chord forms and basic strumming patterns are introduced, and fiddle tunes, bluegrass, and blues styles are covered. Important techniques such as alternate picking, tremolo and slides are taught in a friendly, fun manner. Students, teachers and self-taught players alike will enjoy this thorough, easy-to-use method.