Bluegrass Mandolin [Paperback]

Jack Tottle (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mandolin | Publication Date: January 1, 1992

The first and only instruction book on bluegrass mandolin. Fully illustrated with detailed instructions from the basics to fancy fingerwork, backed up by a collection of bluegrass music by Bobby Osborne, Jesse McReynolds, Frank Wakefield, and John Duffy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Music Sales America (January 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825601541
• ISBN-13: 978-0825601545
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #387,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Start Playing Today, October 14, 2002

By 

Big Dave (Boise, Idaho) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bluegrass Mandolin (Paperback)

Tottle starts with some musical fundamentals -- general points like reading TAB and musical notation, time signatures, rhythm, etc., as well as mandolin-specific issues like tuning. If you have another instrument under your belt, this makes quick reading and then Tottle immediately starts you on learning simple pieces. Since I already play the guitar, for instance, I opened this book and almost immediately learned my first rag.

After you have half a dozen dance numbers under your belt, Tottle breaks out a small chord dictionary and introduces the idea of the structured bluegrass song, with instrumental breaks in between verses. Starting with "The Banks of the Ohio", he then demonstrates how to construct a mandolin break around a song's melody. As he adds numbers, Tottle increases in complexity, and it pretty quickly adds up to an impressive repertoire.

Tottle's writing is clear and straightforward. All music is presented in standard notation and in tablature. Occasional charming photographs of mandolin greats add a nice touch.

The book I have does not have the CD, but the CD can only add to what is a great instructional book.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bluegrass Mandolin, April 4, 2000

By 

keith murchison (Phoenix) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bluegrass Mandolin (Paperback)

When I started playing mandolin 15 years ago this was the only book I could find. It turned out to be a great investment. Easy to read, easy to follow. The music is timeless and jack has a very unique style. For beginners or experts alike theres a lot here I'd highlt recommend it

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect!, July 5, 2009

By 

Formal Treehouse (Grand Rapids, MI) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bluegrass Mandolin (Paperback)

This book is the gold-standard for learning mandolin. I was trying to teach myself and getting nowhere (I was trying to play it like a guitar!) He really caters to students of all skill levels, particularly with his song choices and arrangements. They're simple enough that even a beginner can play them slowly, yet more intermediate players will have difficulty playing them fast without practice. Tottle provides tips for potentially troublesome sections in each song, as well as general advice when learning a new skill. They're bluegrass songs, but the skills learned can be cross-applied to whatever genre you wish to play.

The songs are presented in both tablature and musical notation. Tottle gives about the most concise, informative primer on reading tab that I've ever read. The tab includes written-in chord changes, so you won't be completely unaware of the notes you're playing if you don't read notation. This book is a great place for learning that, too, as it teaches you how to count the note lengths, which are the same as for notation, and give you the chord names, making it easier to figure the notes.

I actually borrowed it from the library, but I intend to purchase it, as I feel it will be a great source to refer back to. Very helpful book, even if you don't want to play bluegrass.