The Complete Mandolinist

The Complete Mandolinist

The Complete Mandolinist is the most comprehensive American mandolin method published in nearly a century.

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Written by Marilynn Mair, internationally-acclaimed performer, recording artist, and teacher for over two decades, the insightfully written text and carefully selected exercises present a logical approach to mandolin technique that builds on the pioneering efforts of America’s mandolin teachers of the early 20th century– Pettine, Perry, Place, Odell, Seigel, Bickford, and others.

Exercises from American and European method books of the last two centuries and concert pieces by the great mandolin composers are combined here with Marilynn’s insightfully written text and beautifully-recorded 70-minute CD to create an exciting new mandolin method for the 21st century.

Starting with a foundation in basic technique and music reading, the book progresses in the course of its 224 pages through scales, arpeggios, tremolo, position work, shifting, rhythm studies, picking techniques, and duo-style, with carefully selected exercises and musical examples ranging from fiddle tunes and Brazilian choro to Vivaldi concertos and Beethoven sonatinas.

The method reflects the wealth of musical knowledge Marilynn has acquired over the course of her distinguished career, and she has compiled it here for you, to encourage the versatility and intelligent musicianship you will need to become a more complete mandolinist.

Posted April 24th, 2009. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.
  • “She’s a fabulous player with a wonderfully clear and lyrical sound.”

    – The Ottawa Citizen (Canada)

    “Marilynn Mair lives up to her reputation as an excellent mandolinist, with clear tone, a beautiful tremolo, and creative expressiveness.”

    – Zupfmusik Magazin (Germany)

    “Marilynn Mair acquits herself very well indeed, a most accomplished player, able to deal with the many intricacies the repertoire demands of her.”

    – Chris Kilvington, Classical Guitar (England)

    “Mair is unstoppable… capable of evoking any landscape, past or present, you’d care to conjure.”

    – Mike Caito, Providence Phoenix (USA)

    “A brilliant concert from beginning to end…The performance was extraordinary.”
    – La Rioja (Spain)

    “Marilynn Mair performs Brazilian mandolin music… she plays the mandolin as an instrument for all occasions.”
    – Vaughn Watson, The Providence Journal (USA)

    “Smudging the lines between folk and classical is an intrepid endeavor… Mair’s a superb mandolin player who has brought the instrument to unexpected places…”

    – Jim Macnie, The Providence Phoenix (USA)

    “A sparkling concert… absolutely brilliant!”

    – Guitar Magazine (England)

    “Marilynn Mair has always had the keen ability to balance classical mandolin traditions and repertoire, while constantly breaking new musical ground…a superb and versatile mandolinist and composer.”

    – – Butch Baldassari, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    Bring a talented ensemble of gifted musicians together playing some of the great concertos and chamber music pieces of the 1700s, present the extraordinary classical mandolinist Marilynn Mair front and center, and you have a rare combination of the right musicians performing the right music at the right time.

    – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    “A lovely concert! We estimate your spell-bound and enthusiastic audience at close to 1800 people…”

    – Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors (USA)

    “Marilynn Mair é uma bandolinista americana de formação erudita”

    — Paulo Eduardo Neves, Agenda do Samba Choro (Brasil)

    “The final repeat of the melody transmitted a strong feeling of peace and tenderness that escaped no one in the audience. It is this sensitivity and subtleness that characterized the overall performance.”

    – Brian Hodel, Guitar Review (USA)

    “Mair displays an exceptionally gifted approach to this music, using her formidable mandolin technique with grace and sensitivity… It’s the next best thing to a trip to Rio.”

    – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    Marilynn Mair on mandolin…touches the deepest and most engaging reaches of the ancient and passionate ‘Latin soul’.

    – Carlos Agudelo, Billboard Magazine

    “Stepping back to the 18th-century masterworks gave her the opportunity to highlight her technique with a fresh light… her playing is thoughtful, vibrant and a delight to listen to.”

    — Terence Pender, Mandolin Quarterly (USA)

    “Mair travels by mandolin to Brazil and brilliance… her commitment to the music shines through.”

    – Rick Massimo, The Providence Journal