By Philip John Berthoud
This is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in Irish mandolin playing. As well as being a complete guide for the absolute beginner, this book also contains a mine of information, useful tips and ideas for the experienced player. The book takes the reader from the basics of the mandolin right through to more advanced topics such as creating variations, emphasis, improvisation, playing with other musicians, practicing effectively and much more. All the tunes and key exercises in the book are included on the accompanying 63 track CD. There is no need to read conventional music notation as all the music is written in easy-to-read mandolin tablature. However, for those interested in learning about music notation there is a handy section on this subject tailored specifically to the mandolinist as well as a chapter on modes.
Contents include:
Bobby Casey's Hornpipe
Chief O'Neill's Favourite
Collier's Reel
Delahunty's Hornpipe
Drops of Brandy
Geese in the Bog
Ger the Rigger
Kerry Polka
Langstern's Pony
Mother Delight
Oh! Those Britches Full of Stitches
Old John's Jig
Out on the Ocean
Scatter the Mud
Sergeant Early's Dream
Slieve Russell
Star of the County Down
Tell Me Ma
The Boys of Malin
The Brighton Polka
The Butterfly
The Derry Air
The Earl's Chair
The Glass of Beer
The Golden Keyboard
The Green Fields of Rossbeigh
The Humours of Ballyloughlin
The Humours of Kesh
The Humours of Tulla
The Humours of Tulla 2
The Hunter's Purse
The Kid on the Mountain
The King of the Fairies
The Maids of Michelstown
The Merry Blacksmith
The Peacock Follow the Hen
The Pigeon on the Gate
The Rakish Paddy
The Red Haired Boy
The Road to Lisdoonvarna
The Sligo Chorus
The Sporting Pitchfork
The Star of Munster
The Swallow's Tail
The Weak Little Finger
The Wind that Shakes the Barley
The Yellow Tinker
Tobin's Favourite
Willie Coleman's
