Learning the mandolin should be required for every violinist: it has the same tuning and is a chordal instrument. This book provides violinists with the skills and knowledge needed to master the mandolin; it also teaches ways in which mandolin concepts can open up one's violin playing. the book offers key insights into the similarities and differences between the two instruments so that violinists can quickly learn to play the mandolin. the book and companion CD cover basic fingering and picking techniques and then move through exercises and pieces drawn from the classical, swing and folk genres.

Take your blues mandolin playing to the next level with the Mandolin Blues Book. A collection of 101 blues riffs and solos ideal for all mandolinists looking to get a good grasp of jamming the blues. The book covers all the essential tools needed to play blues mandolin. Start by learning the 40 stylistic riffs and 25 one and two bar blues riffs in multiple keys, then move on to the longer 12 bar blues rhythm riffs and extended solos. Most of the longer rhythm riffs and solos follow the standard 12 bar blues form, so they are readily applicable to the many mandolin playing styles, including country, rock, jazz, and bluegrass, to name a few. To further deepen your mandolin skills, study the major, minor and blues scales and arpeggios as well as the library of mandolin chords and blues chord progressions in all 12 keys. No book covers everything, but with some practice, you will be ready to take your mandolin, jam the blues with confidence, and show off your new skills. Audio and Video online: https://brentrobitaille.com/product/mandolin-blues-book/

Take a (violin) bow and let your inner musician shine! You don’t have to be a genius to start fiddling around! Violin For Dummies helps budding violinists of all ages begin to play. If you’ve never read a note of music, this book will show you how to turn those little black dots into beautiful notes. Start slow as you learn how to hold the instrument, use the bow, finger notes, and play in tune. Watch yourself blossom into a musician with tips on technique and style. When you’re ready to go further, this book will help you find the people and resources that can help you get just a little closer to virtuoso! Your own private lessons are right inside this book, with the included online video and audio instruction, plus recordings that will help you develop your “ear.” This book takes the guesswork out of learning an instrument, so you’ll be ready to join the band when the time comes! Choose a violin and learn the basics of holding the instrument and playing notes Start reading music with this fast-and-easy introduction to musical notation Improve your musicianship and start to play in groups Explore different music styles and legendary violin composers The violin is a beautiful thing—adding melody everywhere from orchestras to folk and pop tunes. With Violin For Dummies, you can make the music your own, even if you’re a total music beginner.

This book contains the first three of J.S. Bach's solo violin Sonatas and Partitas arranged for mandolin. The goal of the material is to make learning these challenging pieces easier. Mandolin tablature is included throughout the book. Mandolinists who have little or no experience reading standard notation will find this to be an essential learning tool. For good reason, there has been widespread interest in learning these pieces in the mandolin community. The pieces were originally written for violin. As a result, Bach's use of string crossing patterns and open-string pedals work brilliantly on the mandolin. Also, as solo works they are a useful addition to anyone's performing repertoire. Lastly, even if never performed, learning all or some of these is wonderful for building mandolin technique. Violinists often say that if you can play the Bach Solo Sonatas and Partitas you can play anything-the same is certainly true for mandolinists

Franz Wohlfahrt (1833 – 1884), a violin teacher in Leipzig Germany, wrote several series of etudes including 60 Studies for Violin, Opus 45 from which this book of mandolin studies was derived. Originally composed for his own teaching purposes, over the past 100 years Wohlfahrt’s etudes have become standard works for beginning violin study the world over. Adapted for mandolin in standard notation and tablature, some violin techniques had to be altered to make these studies accessible to mandolinists. The resulting book contains progressively arranged compositional gems that include scale, tremolo, arpeggio, and position studies plus grace notes, double-stops and other techniques—all terrific sight-reading material at an intermediate to advanced level.

The fun and easy way to learn to play the mandolin The newest addition to the highly successful Dummies instrument-instruction line, Mandolin For Dummies gives you easy-to-follow, step-by-step instruction on learning to play the mandolin. Following the time-tested Dummies format, Mandolin For Dummies provides a level of content and instruction greater than anything currently available. Mandolin For Dummies breaks down the fundamentals of this instrument and provides the resources you need to practice and improve your ability over time. Packed with individualized instruction on key mandolin-friendly musical styles, including Irish and Celtic, "old time" American music, blues, bluegrass, swing, and jazz Files available via download provide audio tracks from the book and exercises so you can play along and build your skills -- almost 2 hours of music! Clear and useful photos and diagrams ensure you fret, strum, and pick with precision Includes a mandolin buying guide to help ensure you make the right purchases Tips on restringing mandolins and other DIY care and maintenance topics If you're an aspiring mandolin player, don't fret! Mandolin For Dummies has you covered.