Mel Bay has a pair of new mandolin books, aimed at two different strata of pickers.
Children’s Mandolin Method, written by William Bay (son of the company’s founder, Mel) is just what the title suggests. It follows the familiar method book template, starting with simple chords and accompaniments, and progressing through the various notes to be found on each string in first position.
It appears designed for use with an instructor, though a parent, grandparent or older sibling with some instrumental music experience could certainly guide a youngster through the lessons.
A CD with audio of each song, exercise or example is packaged with the book, which sells for $17.99.
All-Time Favorite Parking Lot Picker’s Mandolin Solos by Dix Bruce includes 40 top jam tunes, with a mix of old time, bluegrass, and fiddle tune favorites. Though meant primarily as a tune book, there is some instructional value here, as Bruce demonstrates a variety of important techniques (crosspicking, arpeggios, double stops, tremolo) in the different arrangements.
Back up parts are also presented for a couple of the pieces. A list of tunes can be found online.
Again, the book is packaged with an audio CD containing all the tunes, selling for $22.99.
Both new mandolin books can be ordered as a book/CD combo, or a downloadable ebook with MP3 files.
