Article: New in Print and eBook - Mandolin Picking Tunes - Early Music Gems by Dix Bruce

[Mandolin Cafe]

You can view the page at https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/c...s-by-Dix-Bruce

[Pittsburgh Bill]

I have a few books by Dix Bruce that have been well prepared. BUT: The music content is of music that I was never familiar with. Tunes like Soldiers Joy. I now know that tune since being exposed to other players that actually knew it from God knows where. Never any thing I heard on the radio in my 70 years.
I am going to try this book and will undoubtedly be exposed to more music I am not familiar with. I would very much like to find a Dix Bruce book with music I have been exposed.
Just my humble opinion and perhaps my lack of culture is now exposed for the world to see.

[Mandomike45]

It is certainly more fun (and easier) to play tunes that are familiar, but I recommend you learn the tunes that other players know. Mandolin playing is a very social thing -- and playing with others requires learning a repertoire. Soldiers Joy may not get radio play, but it is a jam standard -- I'll bet those other Dix Bruce books have many others.

Of course, I don't think you should limit yourself to just jam standards -- I have learned quite a few that I'm unlikely to play with anyone else, and I don't regret it. But you are shortchanging yourself if you don't get out and play with people.

[Pittsburgh Bill]

Mandolins Mike. Thanks
During non-COVID times I play out a lot. We usually play 40s / 50s country honkey tonk with some country rock thrown in. I go to a jam session twice a month when we are in Florida. Quite a mix of music but no Soldiers Joy. They say just one rule, “no House of the Rising Sun and no Wagon Wheel allowed “.
I first saw Soldiers Joy in Dix Bruce’s book. Never met people that knew it until I went to the Green Mountain Bluegrass and Roots Festival and then a few more people that knew it at a Billy Strings concert in WV.