ISBN 9781609742959. Most of the music in this book comes from editions or manuscripts from England in the late 1500ICOs. There are also a few French pieces. The cittern was popular in Italy, England and France. Aside from various tunings, there were two 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 chosen for 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 the instrument. 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 court dances 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 vocal settings. 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, the voicing of the harmonies have been changed so as to fit on the mandolin.

ISBN 9781610652674. Steve Kaufman takes his favorite American fiddle tunes for the mandolin and puts them alphabetically in four volumes. Steve plays the mandolin exactly as it is written so the student can hear the melody and dynamics just as he would play it. Accompanying the large set of books is online audio with guitar rhythm accompaniment included. Build your repertoire, right and left hand skills and have fun playing at jam sessions with your friends. This 4 volume set written specifically for the mandolin also has a sister series for guitar. Includes access to online audio.

Is the Mandola the perfect Celtic instrument?Tuned a fifth lower (CGDA) and about 2 inches longer than a mandolin, the mandola is excellent for Celtic music as a solo or band instrument. The Celtic Mandola Music Book is packed with great tunes, chords, exercises, and technique tips, adding to a limited selection of books. This book was written specifically for the mandola and will help you get the most from the alto voice range. The mandola is akin to the viola in the string orchestra but can also be an excellent solo instrument. Blends well with guitars, violins and other string instruments. There are two editions for sale of this book, one written in treble clef and the other in alto clef. Choose which edition best suits your reading skill. Notation, tablature, chords, fingerings and slurring are included in the over 40 pieces. Highly recommended for all mandola players from best-selling author Brent Robitaille. There is a selection of audio and video tracks on the author\'s website. See details inside the book. List of tunes:After the Battle of Aughrim ~ April Snow Reel ~ Black Velvet Band ~ Blind Mary ~ Cape Breton Jig ~ Carolan\'s Concerto ~ Connaughtman\'s Rambles ~ Danny Boy ~ Drowsy Maggy ~ Eleanor Plunkett ~ Fisher?s Hornpipe Flowers of Edinburgh ~ Haste to the Wedding ~ Hector the Hero ~ Hewlett ~ High Road to Linton ~ I\'ll Tell Me Ma ~ Irish Washerwoman ~ John Ryan\'s Polka ~ Kesh Jig ~ Lark in the Clear Air ~ Loch Lomond ~ Merrily Kiss the Quaker ~ Molly Malone ~ Morrison\'s Jig ~ Neil Gow\'s Lament ~ O\'Carolan\'s Draught ~ O\'Dowd?s No. 9 ~ The Parting Glass ~ Planxty George Brabazon ~ Raccoon in the Attic ~ Rakes of Kildare ~ Red Haired Boy ~ Rights of Man ~ Sailor?s Hornpipe ~ Si Bheag Si Mhor ~ Sonny\'s Mazurka ~ Strong Bow ~ Swallow Tail Jig ~ Whiskey in the Jar ~ White Cockade ~ Wind That Shakes the Barley ~.