Mandolin for Dummies

by Don Julin

The fun and easy way to learn to play the mandolinThe 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 jazzThe accompanying CD provides audio tracks from the book and exercises so you can play along and build your skillsClear and useful photos and diagrams ensure you fret, strum, and pick with precisionIncludes a mandolin buying guide to help ensure you make the right purchasesTips 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.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 2, 2012

Reviews

[Altivo Overo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite possibly more than the beginning instrumentalist needs to know, this book is also a useful reference covering peripheral issues. Examples would be the chapter on selecting and buying an instrument, new or used; and the section on adjustments and repairs, including changing strings and resolving problems. A basic introduction to reading common music notation is included, as well as photos and instruction on holding and fingering the instrument.

Overall, this book is well worth having if you own and play a mandolin. However, despite the inclusion of progressive musical exercises and a selection of set pieces, I would say there are better instructional texts for beginners. A couple of examples for Celtic musicians would be Irish Mandolin Playing: A Complete Guide and A Complete Guide to Learning the Irish Mandolin.

[Xenophon · Rating 3 out of 5]

If the classic "For Dummies" formula works for you, I highly recommend this guide to mandolin structure, playing, maintenance, and so forth.

Don Julin gets the job done.

[Brendan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm using it to learn mandolin. Either I'm completely musically inept or one of the earliest audio tracks didn't match the figure it corresponded to in the book. A lot of information and I'm sure I didn't get most of it in the first read. Now I'm slowly going back and doing the exercises and sticking with them until I feel I'm ready to move on. We'll see how I do.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a step by step introduction to learning the mandolin. I had planned to teach myself by YouTube videos but when they moved too fast this book was the perfect remedy.

[Natashya KitchenPuppies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good, I just wish this one had come with the cd instead of having to download from the computer. I don't tend to play in front of my computer.
But if you were going to have a bunch of beginner books - it would be worth throwing this in too.

[Shaun Deane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasmic, practical, thorough - terrific resource