The best way to learn an instrument is to play it as often as you can with other musicians. Trading songs and interacting with other instrumentalists and singers will foster learning at a faster pace and promote development of an ensemble sound. This play-along series encourages this kind of fun, collaborative approach to learning an instrument.

Aspiring mandolinists can practice chords and rhythm, singing and lyrics, melodies, solos, licks and backup playing along with a real band! The online audio includes Dix Bruce on the guitar, mandolin and vocals, Bill Evans on the banjo and vocals, Julie Cline on vocals and Cindy Browne on the string bass. The recorded songs are performed with introductions (kickoffs), vocals and solos-just how they would be at jam sessions and performances. Solo sections in the recordings allow you to play chords and solos from the book. Create your own improvised solos or sing the lyrics while the band provides accompaniment.

The book includes fifteen of the most popular bluegrass, old-time and gospel songs, recorded at slow and regular tempos for players of any skill level. Includes mandolin tablature, chords, solos, backup parts and more. Great for beginning to intermediate players. We'll jam ALL night long!

Introduction

Scale, Chord, and Transposition Chart

Bury Me Beneath the Willow key of G

Bury Me Beneath the Willow solo

Bury Me Beneath the Willow backup

Going Down this Road Feeling Bad key of G

Going Down this Road Feeling Bad solo

Long Journey Home key of G

Long Journey Home solo

Long Journey Home backup

Old Joe Clark key of A

Old Joe Clark solo #

Old Joe Clark solo #

In the Pines key of D

In the Pines solo

In the Pines backup rhythm parts

Wildwood Flower key of C

Wildwood Flower solo #

Wildwood Flower solo #

Little Maggie key of B

Little Maggie solo

All the Good Times Are Past and Gone key of Bf  

All the Good Times Are Past and Gone solo  

All the Good Times Are Past and Gone backup part  

Cripple Creek key of A

Cripple Creek solo

Angel Band key of G

Angel Band solo

Angel Band backup

Angeline the Baker key of D

Angeline the Baker solo # (lower octave)

Angeline the Baker solo # (upper octave)

Nine Pound Hammer key of G

Nine Pound Hammer solo

Boil the Cabbage Down key of G

Boil the Cabbage Down solo

Shady Grove key of D minor or D minor modal  

Shady Grove solo

Will the Circle Be Unbroken key of A

Will the Circle Be Unbroken solo

Will the Circle Be Unbroken backup

Closing Thoughts

Index