If you have tried and failed to learn to read standard music notation for the mandolin or fiddle using traditional methods or you have never tried and want to, this book is for you. Learn to play from music in the mandolin- and fiddle-friendly major keys of C, G, D, A, F, and B-flat and their relative minor keys. Also learn to play in various time signatures including 4/4 (common time), 2/2 (cut time), 3/4 (waltz), and 6/8 (jig). You will also be taught to recognize and play whole notes, h...

This new book is designed for seniors who wish to learn to play the ukulele. Care has been taken to select repertoire familiar and appealing to a more mature audience and attention has been given to the pacing of the material. Basic chords are given and variety of songs and exercises make the learning fast and fun. Play along audio available online for download includes all songs taught in the book.

This is a beginning mandolin method. The contents of this book present the fundamentals of playing mandolin in a sequence making the material logical and easy to learn. The primary difference between this method and many others is that this book is written for seniors wanting to learn to play the mandolin. While many would say that getting on in years is only a state of mind, the fact is that some of the body parts (including the eyes) don't function quite the same as they did in younger y...

If you have ever heard the sound of rhythm guitar in a good western swing band, you may have wondered how the guitarist achieved that unique chordal sound. While the song might be a simple one--playable with only two or three chords--the western swing guitarist changes chords every two beats, providing a driving and harmonically interesting background for the singers and instrumentalists. This book is designed for intermediate players who have a basic understanding of open chords. It begin...

In this addition to the popular series "School Of", Carr explains how to develop unique solos to any bluegrass tune or song. Using a combination of soloing source materials, including melody, scales, patterns and common licks, this work shows how to develop pleasing solos using the melody as a guide or only following the chord progression. This work is designed for players who want to develop the ability to solo ad lib over bluegrass changes. For intermediate players. Includes access to on...

This book and accompanying online audio present 38 classic children's songs arranged for solo ukulele. Included are nursery rhymes, lullabies and rounds. Because sing-alongs are an important part of children's playtime, words are included. These arrangements sound wonderful played by musicians of all levels. In the solo style, the lead melody is voiced on the higher strings while chords are voiced on the lower strings. The result is a pleasant, full-sounding arrangement that makes the ukul...

Patterned after Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method, this book and accompanying audio use proven exercises, studies and musical examples to introduce basic picking and reading skills for the ukulele. The book is recommended for students of any level, and is suited for soprano, concert and tenor ukulele. Rhythm exercises are also included. This method teaches the student to read standard notation. Includes access to online audio.

In this new series, author Joe Carr introduces beginning to intermediate mandolin players to a variety of essential techniques using common instructional tunes. The object of the series is to ground players in good technique and to impart the essential skills required for continued self-guided development. The tunes in this volume come largely from the American folk tradition. This is a great first tutor for mandolinists with general musical interests.

This book and online audio combination features 28 beloved melodies from around the world, especially arranged for the mandolin.Easy to play and beautiful to hear, many of the tunes are arranged for solo mandolin in a chord melody style.Over 20 different countries are represented here with dance tunes, lullabies, national favorites and even three national anthems! Popular favorites such as Hava Nagila, Greensleeves and Waltzing Matilda are mixed with lesser known, but equal...

This book and accompanying audio include twenty arrangements of Caribbean folk songs designed to be played on the soprano, concert, or tenor ukulele. The pieces are arranged for solo playing in the chord-melody style. The collection includes two original songs by the author in the Caribbean style. Chords are provided if guitar accompaniment is desired. Players of any experience level will enjoy this book. Includes access to online audio.

Joe Carr presents his advanced mandolin arrangements of 12 well-known Texas-style tunes. The arrangements are inspired by the popular Texas contest fiddle style. The included online audio features of the tunes with the bluegrass band accompaniment. Includes access to online audio.

This book helps guitarists who are currently stuck playing simple melodies develop fiddle-tune-like solos to bluegrass songs and tunes. Thirteen songs are presented in both a simple "Carter-style" melody-based arrangement followed by a more "fleshed out" fiddle-style arrangement. Using the licks and concepts presented here, guitarists can develop their own unique solos to popular songs. "Angeline the Baker" is presented in a special four-part arrangement that details how to take a simple q...