Mandolin Repertoire & Technique

Technique:
The Mandolin Downstroke

LGMA Tutor Eddie Smith, with thanks to Keith Harris and Frank Scheurle.

"It is in fact the Right Hand that makes the sound, and the place to begin to improve the sound you make is with the Right Hand, and the stroke that must be developed is the Downstroke."

Full article in May 2007 newsletter p4.

Grade: Beginner + / Intermediate
Publisher: Astute

Find out more and buy on Astute Music's website.

Repertoire Review:
Mandolin Literature For Beginners

Review by Da Capo Alba member and LGMA tutor Eddie Smith

Eddie discusses Frances Taylor's Mandolin Method Books 1 and 2, Alison Stephens' 'Six Episodes for solo mandolin,' 'Four Progressive Pieces' by Paul Mitchell-Davidson, and others.

Full review in May 2008 newsletter.

Grade: Beginner plus
Publisher: Astute
Genre: Classical
Cat no: M 57031 041 8

Find out more and buy on Astute Music's website.

Repertoire Review:
Alison Stephens - Six Episodes for mandolin solo

Review by Barbara Pommerenke-Steel, LGMA's Musical Adviser

"Six Episodes is a selection of six pieces for mandolin solo. Under each piece the player can find some notes on the required techniques and musical performance. Six Episodes is a very good book with enjoyable pieces, very clear print and helpful comments."

Full review in May 2007 newsletter p9

Grade: 1 - 2
Publisher: Vogt and Fritz
Genre: Blues, Swing, Ragtime
Cat no: V&F 2022

Vogt and Fritz website.

Repertoire Review:
Klaus Schindler - Blues Swing Ragtime for two Mandolins

Review by Da Capo Alba member and LGMA tutor Graeme Thomson

"This collection of short pieces for mandolin duet contains four fun pieces in an entertaining style at around Grade 1 or 2 level".

Full review in October 2008 newsletter.

Grade: Beginner + / Intermediate

Find out more and buy on Simon Mayor's website.

Tutor Book Review:
Mandolin Literature For Beginners

Barbara Pommerenke-Steel, LGMA's Musical Adviser introduces her favourite tutor books.

"There are many hundred mandolin tutors. Many of these will tell you where the notes are and give you tunes to play in various styles, but very few talk about the use of the plectrum and how to produce a good sound. I use the following ones:"

• Simon Mayor: The Mandolin Tutor
• Ariane Zernecke: Mein erstes Mandolinenbuch (My first mandolin book) and Mein zweites Mandolinenbuch (My second mandolin book)
  An excellent tutor for younger children (up to 10 years of age) .....but in German. Have a look; you can still use many tunes. Her methodology is guaranteed to work. For more info go to www.duo-lorch.com/duolorchshop.html (linked page translated from German) or send an email (in English or German) to ariane@duo-lorch.com
• Ranieri: A tutor in 2 volumes
  The books are for those of you who like romantic tremolo music. Plenty of nice tunes to play.