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Most mandolin students start by learning a few chords and some basic tunes. There is nothing wrong with that. But, inevitably, students come to me with the same big questions. How do I learn to improvise? How do I get my fingers to do what I want them to do? And how do I practice so I actually make real progress?

"Mandolin Master Class" is designed to take you from the "tunes & chords" way of thinking into the world of improvisation. Check out the description below and read the comments by readers of the book.

"Mandolin Training Camp" continues the path started in "Master Class" and is all about getting your fingers to do what you tell them to do. Both books come with unique play-along CDs to allow you to practice what you learn.

"Mandolin Excursion" is a book of 44 tunes and bluegrass solos to increase your stash of licks, add new tunes to your repertoire, and get your fingers going to some new places in a musical way! Mandolin Excursion builds improvising skills through the "back door" of accumulating licks and note sequences that you will find many applications for in the tunes you play.

Most mandolin students start by learning a few chords and some basic tunes. There is nothing wrong with that. But, inevitably, students come to me with the same big questions. How do I learn to improvise? How do I get my fingers to do what I want them to do? And how do I practice so I actually make real progress? "Mandolin Master Class" is designed to take you from the "tunes & chords" way of thinking into the world of improvisation. Check out the description below and read the comments by readers of the book. "Mandolin Training Camp" continues the path started in "Master Class" and is all about getting your fingers to do what you tell them to do. Both books come with unique play-along CDs to allow you to practice what you learn. "Mandolin Excursion" is a book of 44 tunes and bluegrass solos to increase your stash of licks, add new tunes to your repertoire, and get your fingers going to some new places in a musical way! Mandolin Excursion builds improvising skills through the "back door" of accumulating licks and note sequences that you will find many applications for in the tunes you play.		NEW BOOK JUST RELEASED! "The Mandolin Handbook" is an 80 page owner's manual for mandolin players. Full of do-it-yourself instructions for getting the maximum sound and playability out of your mandolin. Includes information on accessories, cleaning, repairs, and caring for your instrument. Profusely illustrated. Please read the full description below. There is information in this book for mandolin players of all levels. If you have never played a note on a mandolin, please download the FREE Beginning Lessons at the bottom of this page. Then, get started with Mandolin Master Class, Mandolin Training Camp, and Mandolin Excursion.
READ THE COMMENTS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE USING THIS BOOK PREVIEW THIS BOOK (PDF FORMAT)		Mandolin Master Class (Book + CD) Written by Brad Laird. Learn to improvise! Understand the important concepts, basic music theory, use of the major scale, use of the pentatonic scale, how to navigate the fingerboard using "triangulation", how to use the Circle of 5ths, how to use the "number system" for chord progressions, how to construct scales and chords, how to practice effectively and how to decide "what to play." Book includes an innovative idea called "The DNA of the Fingerboard" (and a transparent overlay) to help you unravel the mysteries of the mandolin fingerboad. Theory section has 6 self-tests (with answers) to be sure you understand the material. Written in an easy to understand conversational style. Oriented towards bluegrass but useful for all mandolin styles. Companion Audio CD contains chord backup tracks for practicing what you learn, "test driving" your improvisation over various chord progressions, ear training exercises, and even a multi-speed metronome. 70 pages of information, charts, tables, and exercises. All exercises and examples are written in tablature. No standard music notation. Comb-bound and lays flat. $25 + shipping & handling How To Purchase This Item
PREVIEW THIS BOOK (PDF FORMAT)		Mandolin Training Camp (Book + CD) The second book by Brad Laird. This book is a follow-up to Mandolin Master Class and provides 84 pages of information and exercises to help you gain control over your fingers! Mandolin Master Class is about "what to play" and this book is about actually being able to do it! The exercises presented range from easy to extremely challenging. But, the exercises progress in an organized way to lead you to a better understanding of the fingerboard while building speed and dexterity. The book includes detailed micro-analysis of finger mechanics to help you find the most efficient way to execute passages on the mandolin. The book presents information on position shifting and plenty of exercises to develop that important skill. All of the exercises follow a consistent chord progression and the Audio Companion CD provides chord backup for all 12 major keys. A record keeping section allows you to track your progress with each exercise. Mandolin Training Camp is a challenging and informative book which can elevate the skills of all mandolin players to new levels of expertise. Good for teachers to use as a supplement to teaching songs and chords. All exercises are presented in tablature. No reading of standard notation required. 84 pages. Lays flat. $25 + shipping and handling How To Purchase This Item
NEW BOOK - JUST RELEASED! PREVIEW THE FOREWORD, PREFACE, & TABLE OF CONTENTS (PDF FORMAT)		The Mandolin Handbook - An Owner's Manual Written by Brad Laird, this handbook is designed to help you understand how mandolins are built, how they function, and what you can do yourself to take better care of your instrument and improve its sound. You will learn to make adjustments, select accessories, and many other things which will make you more conversant and knowledgeable about mandolins. You will learn how to keep your instrument protected from damage. You will learn ways to bring out the most from your instrument and, with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the instrumment, you will produce better and more fulfilling music. You will also learn about certain intricate tasks that are better left to the most experienced experts. With a better understanding of these topics, you will be in a better position to find qualified experts, judge their work, and have a greater appreciation for their skills. Includes mandolin history, care, setup, adjustment, tuning, accessories, repair...a complete guide for the mandolin player! 80 pages, 8.5" x 11", spiral bound. $22 + shipping and handling How To Purchase This Item
PREVIEW THIS BOOK (PDF FORMAT)		Mandolin Excursion - 44 Tunes & Solos To Improve Your Playing The third book in the series by Brad Laird. This book presents a wide variety of mandolin tunes and solos, 44 to be exact, which will broaden your repertoire and increase your skill level. The tunes run the gamut from breaks to bluegrass standards, classic jam session tunes, offbeat original tunes, Celtic tunes, and old-time fiddle numbers. The arrangements range from downright easy to challenging, but all of them are playable with some practice by average musicians. Unlike some of the mandolin tune books (transcriptions of star mandolinists), you don't have to be a child prodigy or master of the mandolin to learn these tunes! This is a learn by doing method. In some cases I have presented multiple versions of the same tune, each one progressively more challenging. If you play the tunes, and learn them well, you simply cannot help but become a better mandolin player! Book is notated in tablature with backup chords, explanatory text and author's notes on each tune, is 32 pages, coil bound and lays flat. $15 + shipping and handling How To Purchase This Item
		Metronome on Audio CD A 24 speed digitally produced metronome on audio CD. Play on your own stereo or computer sound system. You control the volume so you can hear the sound over your instrument. A must for loud instruments. Makes a perfect "programmed" practice session as the tracks automatically advance from one speed to the next. Track speeds range from 40 to 160 beats per minute. Each track is 3 minutes long. Arranged with smaller increments in speed as the tracks advance to more difficult levels. Practice tips and track/speed chart enclosed. $6 + shipping and handling How To Purchase This Item
		Free MandoUniversity Newsletter Archives Produced by MandoUniversity founder Brad Laird. For mandolin players of all levels. Topics range from improvisation skills, practice techniques, instrument set-up, questions from students, solo construction, picks and strings, playing in front of people, recording, etc. Absolutely no charge for the newsletter. Excellent for use by mandolin students and teachers! PDF format. Click here to download current and past issues
		Free Beginning Mandolin Lessons Download the free 18 page Beginning Mandolin Lessons and get off to a good start. PDF Format. Click here to download.
OVER 30 OF BRAD'S MANDOLIN INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS ONLINE - Video Mandolin Lessons by Brad Laird CHECK 'EM OUT on www.freemandolinvideos.com
		About the author... Brad Laird has played mandolin with the bluegrass group Cedar Hill since 1983. He also plays mandolin with another bluegrass group, Pony Express, which he founded while in college in 1979. He also play upright bass with the eclectic acoustic group The Incorrigible String Band. These groups perform regularly in the Atlanta region. He has recorded several albums, has been a mandolin, banjo and guitar teacher since 1982 and is an alumni of the Atlanta Mandolin Society Orchestra in which he played mandola and mandocello. He is a songwriter and has composed over 50 bluegrass songs and instrumentals. Brad began his musical training as a French horn player in the 7th grade. He was inducted into the Hall of Honor of the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004. Brad resides in Rex, Georgia and, in addition to his performing and teaching, is a piano tuner and technician. Email the author