ISBN 9781619117785.

Theory and Improvisation for the Modern Mandolinist is a two book series that teaches improvisation in many musical styles along with theory concepts and how they apply to the mandolin. Each book provides access to different backing tracks and solo examples to help you learn. Every chapter includes scales presented in a variety of common formats: standard notation, tablature and fretboard charts.A Volume 1, Building a Foundation, only requires that the reader can play notes and simple chords. It presents basic skills necessary for improvising over chord progressions found in all types of music. Sample solos and progressions are included at the end of each chapter to practice. Whether you play bluegrass, rock, pop or jazz, this book will take your solos to the next level.A Includes access to online audio.

ISBN 9781619115453. 8.75 x 11.75 inches. If you've heard jazz guitarists like Joe Pass play chord melody, you may think that the style requires an encyclopedic knowledge of music theory, musical super-powers, or making a deal with the devil. But fear not! This book will show you how to create your own satisfying chord melody arrangements on the mandolin...and will do so in a practical, applicable, non stroke-inducing way. "Aaron Weinstein has many musical accomplishments. I am very proud to have played a small part with some of them. When he was only 12 he made his first recordings and asked me to play mandolin on them. I was knocked out to encounter someone that young that was conversant in both old-time or contest fiddling and Joe Venuti style jazz. Not long after that Aaron became interested in the mandolin and chords and he came by every so often to play and discuss voicings, improvisation and the like. I showed him some of the Jethro Burns chord melody arrangements that Jethro showed me. I've been teaching those for decades in hopes of one day playing them smoothly myself! Fast forward a few more years and Aaron has a Berklee degree, traveled the world playing hot violin music and is hobnobbing with the greatest NYC jazz stars. And oh yeah, one other thing: he took the art of chord-melody mandolin style to an entirely new level! The rich harmonies of the standard jazz and show tune repertoire, the swinging bass lines and connecting chords and independent voice movements (doing more than one thing at a time) are all present in Aaron's style, thanks to his great ear, open mind and gift at locating things on the fretboard. And now Aaron has documented, explained and shared his discoveries and approach with all of us in this book. Thank you Aaron! This is truly a step-by-step method that you will enjoy. You'll find yourself saying 'oh, of course!' as the author gets you playing and understanding things that sound very detailed and complex. The first section I would call the mandolinistic stuff: the how-to on getting things moving and connected on the fretboard. This part is laid out in a very logical manner with clear explanations and fun activities. After working through these etudes you will know the fretboard better and be a better mandolin playing musician regardless of what style of music is your favorite. As I looked this part over I recalled the parable about 'give someone a fish and he will have a meal. Teach him to fish and he'll eat the rest of his life..' The second part puts your new-found chops to work playing some great solo chord melody tunes Weinstein style. Again the author walks us gently into the material by providing two versions of each piece, the basic structure followed by a more developed version. In the history of mandolin playing there have been many examples of techniques, arrangements and music that might be thought of as 'chord-melody' style. Consider works by Raffaele Calace, or 'Duo' style from the early twentieth century American stylists and then again as modernized by Evan Marshall in the current era. Bach on the mandolin, as played by virtuosi such as Caterina Lichtenberg, Mike Marshall, Carlo Aonzo, Chris Thile and others also illustrates harmony and melody simultaneously. And of course Jethro Burns did so much in the way of bringing jazz and standards to life with chord-melody mandolin that it is often referred to as 'Jethro Style'. The book you have in your hand presents a unique and accessible route to these types of techniques and sounds. Bravo, Aaron! And thank you, my friend." Don Stiernberg.

ISBN 9781513459653. 8.75x11.75 inches.

Versatile mandolinist Tommy Norris presents this collection of 20 intermediate to advanced melody/chord arrangements of familiar and lesser-known Christmas melodies, all in both standard notation and tablature. Expand your holiday repertoire and general musicianship with these idiomatic settings of Christmas classics from the British Isles! Includes access to online audio for all selections.

ISBN 9781619118416.

Between 1755 and 1761 James Oswald composed and published two sets of 48 Airs for the Seasons, 96 pieces in all. Each air included from two to four separate movements in different time signatures and tempos, almost always in the same key. Each was printed on a single page with the melody on one staff and a bass line (with figures) on a second staff. Additionally, each piece was named after a plant and organized into groups of twelve for each season. This book contains a selection of 24 Oswald airs, 6 for each season, in standard notation and arranged for solo mandolin. Originally intended for the flute or violin, in most cases the original key has been changed to better accommodate the modern mandolin. Oswaldas Scottish heritage is evident in the number of movements that are actually slow airs, jigs, reels or menuets. Altogether, this is a delightful collection of 18th century melodies suitable for solo performance, teaching or private enjoyment.

ISBN 9781619117242.

Anyone who is serious about learning Irish traditional music will eventually come across O'Neill's Music of Ireland, a collection of well over 1000 tunes. This book contains a selection of one hundred tunes from this collection, arranged into sets for mandolin which can be used at sessions, and for dancing. The book includes hints, tips and comments for playing the tunes and some of the tunes also have alternative melodies and harmonies for added variety and interest. At the back of the book, there are guitar chords with standard and open D tuning, and a mandolin fretboard chart that you might find useful.

ISBN 9781609745912. 50 studies designed to improve right and left-hand technique for mandolin players of all levels and abilities. This book provides further practice material to build on the aspects of technique introduced in Mandolin Technique Studies, Vol. 1-Sequences, Arpeggios, Shifting, the Fourth Finger, Triplets, Chromatics, and Crosspicking. A great book to have on your music stand for a ready source of practice material. The book is divided into four parts. Part One is devoted to sequences, Part Two further explores the aspects of technique from Mandolin Technique Studies, Vol. 1, Part Three is devoted to scale-based exercises and Part Four contains practice etudes based on all the previous exercises. The book also includes 3 studies adapted from Rudolphe Kreutzer's 42 Studies For Violin. -50 Studies for improving right and left hand mandolin technique -Further explores the concepts of Mandolin Technique Studies, Vol.1 -Exercises involve Sequences, Arpeggios, Shifting, the Fourth Finger, Triplets, Chromatics, and Crosspicking.

ISBN 9781513459400. 8.75x11.75 inches.

This book contains 30 traditional to modern Celtic tunes arranged in either simple melodic lines with suggested accompaniment chords, or stand-alone melody/chord solos. From rollicking reels and jigs to tender ballads, these Celtic Gems will appeal to the intermediate to advanced mandolinist and their audiences. With a little imagination, the up-tempo melodic tunes could be effectively rendered with drums and electric bass a la Pentangle or Fairport Convention; conversely, three or four of the solo arrangements would provide a tasteful set within a mandolin recital. Take your pick! Presented in standard notation and tablature in mandolin and guitar-friendly keys, these settings provide a masterclass in 4-course instrumental arranging. The authors online recording of each piece is included with this stellar collection. Includes access to online audio.

In this sequel to The Complete Mandolinist, world-renowned mandolinist Marilynn Mair expands on her previous method books, presenting over 100 compositions that span 5 centuries, works she has thoughtfully edited or arranged for mandolin. Each piece is accompanied by a paragraph or two of musical context, and the book also includes 24 short essays on the evolution of musical style, drawn from Marilynns decades as a Professor of Music History. Music by great composers like Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, and Beethoven mixes with interesting compositions by little-known mandolin composers like Piccone, Barbella, Leone, and Gervasio, works Marilynn has discovered during her performing and recording career. Concert pieces range from quite easy to very advanced, with most lying between those two extremes. In addition to music of the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century, Marilynn includes contemporary pieces by some of her favorite composers writing today. This book holds a musical world Marilynn has compiled and presents to you. The Complete Mandolinist, Volume 2: Music in Context, is a book you will reach for again and again.

ISBN 9781619111721. Telemann for Mandolin presents over 70 pieces composed by Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) that are particularly suitable for playing on unaccompanied mandolin. The pieces are easy to intermediate in difficulty and are presented both in standard notation and tablature. The book includes excellent material for students as well as many pieces suitable for weddings, recitals and other occasions.