Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

  1. #1
    small instrument, big fun Dan in NH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Nashua NH
    Posts
    842

    Default Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    Hello!

    I just ordered my firsat mandolin - A Kentucky KM-250 from Elderly Instruments.

    I also ordered some books from Amazon - First 50 Songs You Should Play On Mandolin by Hal Leonard, and Mandolin From Scratch by Bruce Emery. I have several of Bruce's From Scratch books for other instruments, and I've always found them helpful and informative.

    I got the kindle version of Mandolin for Dummies 2nd Ed., and I'm thinking maybe I like it enough to buy the paper version. Had anyone else used that to help them learn mandolin? What about Mandolin Exercises for Dummies?

    Any other method books you guys use or recomment to help a new player learn the basics - Chords, strums, chops, arpeggios, etc.?

    Thanks!
    Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
    Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)

    And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.

  2. The following members say thank you to Dan in NH for this post:


  3. #2
    Registered User lowtone2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    lower alabama
    Posts
    893

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    I can recommend a couple of good online resources.

    Baron Collins-Hill has a great website with all kinds of lessons and tunes at mandolessons.com, and all free.

    Pete Martin has some good lessons for the beginner online also.


  4. #3
    small instrument, big fun Dan in NH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Nashua NH
    Posts
    842

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    Yes, I’m making my way through the lessons on mandolessons.com. My mandolin should arrive on Wednesday. I’m sure that will be helpful to the process.

  5. #4
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    1,987

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    Quote Originally Posted by phydaux View Post
    Hello!

    I just ordered my firsat mandolin - A Kentucky KM-250 from Elderly Instruments.

    I also ordered some books from Amazon - First 50 Songs You Should Play On Mandolin by Hal Leonard, and Mandolin From Scratch by Bruce Emery. I have several of Bruce's From Scratch books for other instruments, and I've always found them helpful and informative.

    I got the kindle version of Mandolin for Dummies 2nd Ed., and I'm thinking maybe I like it enough to buy the paper version. Had anyone else used that to help them learn mandolin? What about Mandolin Exercises for Dummies?

    Any other method books you guys use or recomment to help a new player learn the basics - Chords, strums, chops, arpeggios, etc.?

    Thanks!
    I've been playing a little over a year and half, and I just got Don Julin's book a while ago. I started using it recently and like it alot. I've got the exercise book, too, but haven't looked at it yet. I have too many books.

  6. #5
    small instrument, big fun Dan in NH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Nashua NH
    Posts
    842

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    Quote Originally Posted by Sue Rieter View Post
    I have too many books.
    I know the affliction. My stack of guitar books is quite impressive.

  7. #6
    Registered User Jairo Ramos's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Colombia, Sudamérica
    Posts
    300

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    I'd say, imho, that any mandolin player should have Julin's books as part of their arsenal. Julin's books and Marilyn Mair's are the best mandolin books have been written in years.

    Mandolin for Dummies is a complete introduction to the world of the mandolin that is always worth going back to, even if it is to understand something confusing. Exercices for Dummies is much more than exercises on major and minor scales, pentatonic, arpeggios, etc: In a didactic and structured way it teaches "the patterns" that are repeated through the fretboard (the wonder of instruments tuned in fifths) and the fingers that are required for this. All accompanied by audio files.
    Music washes away from the soul the dust of every-day life. Auerbach.
    The rejection of 'the others' is a tragedy of the human being; If it comes from emigrants, an added horror!

  8. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Jairo Ramos For This Useful Post:


  9. #7
    small instrument, big fun Dan in NH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Nashua NH
    Posts
    842

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    "the wonder of instruments tuned in fifths"

    Yes, coming from the "tuned in 4th except where it isn't" world of guitars, I'm really starting to appreciate the mandolin's "learn this shape, and that shape is the same always, everywhere" nature.
    Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
    Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)

    And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.

  10. #8

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    Good thread for those of us who are just starting out. In learning guitar I have utilized books much more than online resources, for some reason I just connect with books, even more than videos.

    The only mandolin book I currently have is Mel Bay's Complete Mandolin method. The name seems a bit misleading since it seems very focused on learning to play melodies from sheet music and doesn't seem to go into chords or other concepts. It's ok, because it contains what I wanted to start with, but for someone who wants to start with chords it wouldn't be useful.

  11. #9
    small instrument, big fun Dan in NH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Nashua NH
    Posts
    842

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    I'm still waiting for Mandolin From Scratch to arrive, but based on Bruce's other works I'm sure it will be a comprehensive introduction to mandolin technique. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on it.

    I've got Mandolin For Dummies on my kindle, and thus far I'm very impressed with it, enough to strongly consider buying the paper versions of it and the Exercises book.

    I've looked into Marilyn Mair's books based on the recommendation in this thread, but I'm hunting for more recommendations before I pull the trigger.
    Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
    Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)

    And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.

  12. #10
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Peace and Love
    Posts
    2,418

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    For arpeggio exercises:
    http://jazzmando.com/ffcp.shtml

    Good luck!

  13. #11
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    1,987

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    I've also got a copy of Tristan Scroggins's new How to Play Mandolin in 14 Days - Daily Lessons for Absolute Beginners.
    I would venture to say it is useful also for beginners who are not so absolute.

  14. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    New Jersey, USA
    Posts
    589

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    Quote Originally Posted by phydaux View Post
    Hello!

    I just ordered my firsat mandolin - A Kentucky KM-250 from Elderly Instruments.

    I also ordered some books from Amazon - First 50 Songs You Should Play On Mandolin by Hal Leonard, and Mandolin From Scratch by Bruce Emery. I have several of Bruce's From Scratch books for other instruments, and I've always found them helpful and informative.

    I got the kindle version of Mandolin for Dummies 2nd Ed., and I'm thinking maybe I like it enough to buy the paper version. Had anyone else used that to help them learn mandolin? What about Mandolin Exercises for Dummies?

    Any other method books you guys use or recomment to help a new player learn the basics - Chords, strums, chops, arpeggios, etc.?

    Thanks!
    As a beginner I found Mandolin Primer by Bert Casey to be a great place to start. For me, Mandolin for Dummies was a bit overwhelming

  15. #13
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    1,987

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    Quote Originally Posted by Simon DS View Post
    For arpeggio exercises:
    http://jazzmando.com/ffcp.shtml

    Good luck!
    I've seen this link referenced elsewhere, and then, as now, I get "ERROR 521 The Server is Down"
    Is it safe to assume it's working for you, Simon, since you put up the link?

  16. #14
    Registered User Louise NM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    826

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    Quote Originally Posted by phydaux View Post
    I've looked into Marilyn Mair's books based on the recommendation in this thread, but I'm hunting for more recommendations before I pull the trigger.
    Marilynn Mair's The Complete Mandolinist is well worth having, phydaux. The name says it all—it's the most complete book I have found. Scales, arpeggios, double stops, duo style, and tunes from Mozart to Brazilian choro, all presented in a logical progression.

  17. #15
    small instrument, big fun Dan in NH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Nashua NH
    Posts
    842

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    Hi Louise!

    I see from Amazon that The Complete Mandolinist is mostly European music and doesn't include a lot of Celtic/Irish folk or American fold/bluegrass. Is this correct?

    That's not bad, and is worth learning to build & broaden my technique. Just wondering if Exercises For Dummies might me more in line with the music I want to play.
    Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
    Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)

    And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.

  18. #16
    Registered User Jairo Ramos's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Colombia, Sudamérica
    Posts
    300

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    The Complete Mandolinist is not for beginners, I would say it is for intermediate and advanced players who want to perfect their technique. And yes, it could be said that it is really focused on classical music.

    Exercises for dummies is useful for any mandolin player, regardless of the genre the player plays. I would advise you to look at the books by Bradley Laird, Bert Casey and Simon Mayor, focused on what you are interested in, and all of their books come with audio, which is quite useful. Sure, there are many more, but these are the authors I know.
    Music washes away from the soul the dust of every-day life. Auerbach.
    The rejection of 'the others' is a tragedy of the human being; If it comes from emigrants, an added horror!

  19. #17
    Registered User Louise NM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    826

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    Phydaux, there's a little bit of everything in it. It's certainly not a tune book—plenty of others fill that niche. It's a method book, and working your way through it, a bit at a time, would be helpful to anyone playing any genre.

    You may have noticed the banner at the top of the page: Mel Bay is offering 30% off on all books and e-books. Check out the huge number of mandolin books on their site. You're sure to find plenty to keep you busy.

  20. #18
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Chicagoland north
    Posts
    277

    Default Re: Mandolin for Dummies/Mandolin Exercises for Dummies

    For those of us who are notation challenged, Chapter 4 and Appendix B of the Dummies book are particularly useful.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •