Customer Reviews

The Mandolin of Bill Monroe, Vol. 1

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Watching Bill Monroe up close in a one on one conversation with John Hartford is a pleasure and a lesson that will not be forgotten. It is not a typical instruction film, to be sure. But, the lessons learned here are most certain to be more lasting.

John Hartford does a great job of staying out of the way and allowing Bill Monroe to show his technique without interruption or opinion. You can see John just wanting to push further and get a more descriptive lesson, but he is also wise enough to understand that Bill Monroe is a great talent, but not a teacher. Let him play and see what you can learn is the best approach. It's interesting to see John ask Bill to "play that section a little slower" and Bill graciously plays the section over - at the pace he just played it. Funny, but very telling.

There are some very poignant monents as well. When Mr. Monroe talks about going back home to an empty house while discussing one of his compositions will bring tears to your eyes. And, when he addresses "Last Days on Earth" one cannot help but be moved by the sincerity and emotion in his playing and his demeanor. It touches your soul.

Personally, I learned much more from this Volume One than I did from Sam Bush's more instructional Volume 2 of the same title. While Sam's is more nuts and bolts, just watching Bill was much more earthy and sticking than Volume 2. It may be best to get both, but if you have to choose, I would highly recommend Volume One as, by far, the best.

Thank you Bill for leaving this for us. Lessons I will never forget.

This DVD is not a mandolin lesson. However, it offers some great music and insight to Bill Monroe's life and playing style as told by Mr Monroe himself.

It is nice to have Volume 2 of this set to see Sam Bush disect a some of the music on this DVD.

This DVD is fun to watch even if you aren't a mandolin player. It's great for any bluegrass fan.

If you are a mandolin player, you are better off getting both Volume 1 and Volume 2 of this set.